High Street

CCTV images have been released by Kent Police following the report of a distraction theft in Sittingbourne.

Officers were called to the incident in the High Street at around 3.10pm on Thursday 11th December 2025.

A man stated he had just withdrawn some cash from a nearby bank and was approached by people as he entered a shop. The victim was told he had something on his coat and while he was distracted it is alleged his money was stolen.

The suspects are reported to have been lingering at the bank and targeted the man after he made his withdrawal.

A dispersal order will be in place in Sittingbourne over the weekend following concerns about antisocial behaviour. 

Enforcement will start at 4pm today (Friday 19th December) and will run until 4pm on Sunday (21st December). 

It will cover multiple areas around the town centre extending to East Street, St Paul’s Street, London Road and Park Road. This area includes Sittingbourne Retail Park, Sittingbourne Train Station, Mill Way Skate Park and Albany Park Recreation Ground.

A swift arrest by officers in Sittingbourne has led to a suspected burglar being charged.

Kent Police was called at 12.30am on Friday (21st February) to a report of a break-in at a business on the High Street, Milton Regis.

It was reported that a window was broken and items were taken from inside the premises before a man left the scene on foot.

Officers attended and shortly afterwards a man was detained.

A cash register was recovered following a search.

After nearly four years in the heart of Sittingbourne High Street's community The Swale Media Art Centre (SMAC), at number 34, is set to close on Friday 4th April.

(Stock Picture)

Another dispersal order is in place for two days, as Kent Police target those responsible for incidents of antisocial behaviour in Sittingbourne.

The enforcement started at 7.30pm last night (Tuesday 18th February) and has subsequently been extened to operate until 7.30pm on Saturday (22nd February) evening.

It encompasses the town centre including the A2, West Street, High Street, East Street, the Sittingbourne Retail Park, Eurolink Way, Mill Way and Albany Park.

Earlier this week the Lloyds Banking Group announced that 136 of it's various high street branches will close by March 2026.

They have confirmed that whilst the Sittingbourne Lloyds Bank bramch will remain the Halifax branch at 70-74 High Street Sittingbourne will close.

They confirmed to SFM News that the date for this closure will be  Wednesday 15th October.

Lloyds announced a few weeks ago that customers of Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland will now be able to use any of the branches across any of its brands for in-person banking.

Neighbourhood officers have brought some robust enforcement to Sittingbourne in response to recent reports of anti-social behaviour.

A dispersal order was instigated in the town’s retail park over the weekend between 5pm on Friday (29th November) until 5pm yesterday (Sunday 1st December). Officers were deployed to the area after business owners and shoppers raised their concerns about the conduct of some visitors.

Three suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with a phone shop robbery in Sittingbourne earlier this week.

The two men and a teenage boy are alleged to have stolen thousands of pounds of stock after forcing their way into a Vodafone store in the High Street.

The incident happened at around 5.20pm on Thursday (17th October) afternoon. By 7pm, responding patrols had made arrests in a park near Canterbury Street, Gillingham. Several devices suspected to be stolen were seized.

Kent Police have confirmed that a shop has been visited following concerns raised with the local beat officer in Milton Regis.

Sittingbourne was brimming with pride and joy on Sunday (25th August) afternoon with the welcome return of Sittingbourne Carnival after a five yaer hiatus.

The 106.9 SFM Roadshow Crew were LIVE On Ait at Milton Regis Recreational Ground getting ready for the big day, with Carnival Courts from all over Kent and local business and voluntary groups with floats and displays in the procession.