Three men have been charged following the theft of nine high-value cars in seven months.

The chief constable's crime squad investigated a series of reports of owners having their vehicles stolen in Kent and the surrounding counties after advertising them online.

Following inquiries, three men were arrested in relation to the theft of seven cars in areas across Kent including Maidstone, Canterbury, Dartford and Medway, one in Sussex and one in Essex.

The incidents, which saw a BMW and eight Mercedes taken, happened between Monday, November 15 and Tuesday, May 31.

Ionel Anghel, 31, of Bexley Lane, Crayford, Geoni Rostas, 27, of Sheridan Road, Belvedere and Radu Rostas, 30, of Felixstowe Road, Eltham were charged with conspiring to steal vehicles and conspiring to commit fraud in relation to the sale of stolen cars.

The men appeared before Medway Magistrates' Court on Saturday, June 19 and were bailed to appear before Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, July 25.