A man has been charged on suspicion of robbery after cigarette lighters were allegedly stolen from a shop.

Police are investigating allegations several premises including shops and a beauticians were targeted in Maidstone town centre over a three-day period.

It has been reported a purse filled with cash was stolen from the staff area of a shop, in Week Street, on Sunday (June 18).

The next day, another purse is said to have been taken from an office at a business in London Road.

Officers were also called to a robbery at a shop in Broadway on Monday (June 19) where a man was said to have made threats he was carrying a knife before stealing cigarette lighters.

Diavren Pope was arrested on Wednesday (June 21) and later charged with robbery, two counts of burglary, and with two counts of fraud by false representation - relating to the fraudulent use of bank cards in Paddock Wood, on Friday (June 16).

The 42-year-old was further charged with possessing cannabis, causing criminal damage to a police cell and with a racially aggravated public order offence.

Pope, of Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, was remanded in custody to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court today (June 22).

Update: He was remanded to a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on July 20.