A man and a woman have been charged with a series of shoplifting offences following allegations that shoplifters used a wheelchair to conceal stolen goods.

Between April 7 and May 16, several shops in Week Street and Northumberland Road in Maidstone made reports of food, alcohol and cleaning items being stolen form their shelves.

Officers from the town’s Victim Based Crime Team have been investigating thefts at shops including Co-op, Poundland and Tesco.

It is reported that during some of the offences a wheelchair was used to hide the stolen products.

Lien Meggs, 42, and Hollie Baker, 33, both of Drawbridge Close, Maidstone, were arrested on May 17 and were jointly charged with 10 counts of theft.

Meggs was charged with a further three thefts.

Both suspects have been bailed to appear before Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on June 23.