Kent Police

Women who were sexually assaulted in Medway and Swale, by a man who falsely advertised as a professional masseur, have seen the offender jailed.

Kent Police are reminding shoppers to stay vigilant following reports of cash being stolen from bags and purses in Sittingbourne.

On the morning of Friday 1st November, a woman withdrew money from a town centre bank and then walked back to her car in supermarket car park. As she got into the vehicle a woman knocked on the window stating there were pins on the floor. The victim got out to pick them up and a man approached and assisted with the task. The victim later realised money had been stolen from her bag while she was distracted.

A sex offender, who groomed a child online before meeting her in Swale, has been jailed.

Asif Mirza was caught with the victim inside his car after concerns were raised by an alert Kent Police employee.

Mirza initially contacted the victim through social media at the start of 2024 and showed sympathy when she disclosed some personal issues that concerned her. Having gained the girl’s trust Mirza pressured her to send him some indecent images.

A prolific criminal has been jailed following multiple thefts and driving offences in Swale.

Darren Regan started his crime spree in the early hours of Monday 29th January 2024. He gained entry to two vehicles at addresses near Sheerness and stole a pair of binoculars from one of them. A short time later he was stopped by a patrol and the constables found the binoculars hidden in his coat sleeve. Regan was arrested and later charged with theft and interfering with a vehicle.

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.

Teenagers across Swale have been given safety advice and tips as part of a roadshow being presented to schools.

The partnership roadshow included topics such as health and social care, drugs and alcohol, antisocial behaviour, exploitation and knife crime. Staff from Kent Police, Swale Borough Council, Clarion Housing domestic abuse services, charity Uprising Youth and Community, and the NHS were all involved.

A prolific Swale shoplifter has been jailed and will be subject to a strict criminal behaviour order preventing her entering a store with a bag that is not clear, on her release from prison.

Sittingbourne Neighbourhood officers have been working to protect local businesses and their latest enforcement sees Shelley Earnshaw receiving more than three months’ imprisonment.

Swale Borough Council have teamed up with Kent Police to implement measures to tackle anti-social behaviour, such as street drinking and youth nuisance, in Sittingbourne High Street.

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) are in place to address street drinking and give officers from Kent Police and the council powers to give fines or take court action, to make the high street a safer place.

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

Witnesses are sought following a report of a man exposing himself near Sittingbourne.

At around 7pm last night (Wednesday 21st August) it was reported that a man was seen exposing himself from inside a car in Cryalls Lane, near Borden.

The man is described as in his 40s or 50s, bald, with thin facial hair and was wearing a grey T-shirt.

Anyone who witnessed the incident and has yet to speak to officers, or who has dashcam footage which may assist police, is urged to call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting 22-0229.