Security staff have been sacked after thieves got away with steel railings worth £200,000 from a leading Medway development.

The thefts means that the river walk at Rochester Riverside has been closed, just five weeks after it opened with a fanfare of publicity.

The gang forced open gates in Furrells Road twice in one week, drove across the grass to the riverside walkway and calmly unscrewed and removed more than 200 posts.

The sackings were confirmed by Cllr Jane Chitty, who has been overseeing the regeneration of the old railway sidings, river wharves and stone depots behind Rochester Station.

She said: “What has happened is an indication of how a very few greedy people can spoil it for the majority.”

Security is to be stepped up and new railings soldered in place.

Medway Police are investigating the thefts. If anyone has information, ring police on 01634 792530 or Kent CrimeStoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.