The man once in charge of a Medway crime-busting organisation will appear in court charged with theft.

Christopher Griffiths used to be co-ordinator of the Safer Medway Partnership, which sees businesses working together to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour across the Towns.

But he will appear before magistrates on Thursday accused of stealing at least £2,500 from the very organisation he led.

The 61-year-old, pictured right, has been charged with stealing the cash between 2009 and February 2012.

Griffiths, of Fir Tree Grove, Chatham, took over the role of co-ordinator when he left Maidsafe, a Maidstone-based initiative which also aims to reduce crime and disorder by identifying and denying troublemakers entry to bars and shops across the town.

In Maidstone, with the help of a dedicated team, his efforts were said to have significantly reduced crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

When he joined the Safer Medway Partnership in 2007, he told how he believed his experience would prove a huge benefit to the partnership.

"I'm here because I firmly believe Medway has the potential to be home to the biggest and best partnership in the country," he said.

A Medway Police spokesman said: "Christopher Griffiths, 61, of Fir Tree Grove, Chatham, has been charged with theft by employee.

"He will appear at Medway Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 4."