Four residents were reportedly threatened by a gang of masked men during a burglary.

Police were called to the Shepway area of Maidstone just after 2am on Monday (September 2).

It is said three masked men entered the house and threatened to harm four people who lived there.

The suspects are then alleged to have fled the scene before police patrols stopped and detained them in Cumberland Avenue.

Later searches also led to the seizure of a hammer and a knife.

One man was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and two other suspects were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

Harry Britten, of Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Aramis Sullivan, of Luton, Bedfordshire, and a 17-year-old boy from Bedford were later charged with burglary and possession of a knife in a public place.

They appeared before Medway Magistrates' Court yesterday (September 4).

Britten, 20, has since been granted bail, while Sullivan, 21, and the teenager have been remanded in custody. All three are due to appear before Maidstone Crown Court on Monday, September 30.

A local 42-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary and remains in custody, pending further inquiries.