by Rebecca Hughes

A man has been charged with theft following an incident in Chatham High Street.

Politec Albisor, aged 33, of Macaulay Road, East Ham, was charged in relation to a theft where an elderly woman had cash stolen from her handbag when shopping.

The 33-year-old man from East Ham, London, was arrested in Cambridgeshire on Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of the theft which took place on March 13.

Albisor has been given a bail condition not to enter Kent until he appears before Medway Magistrates Court on Monday, August 13.

PC Paul Billings from the Chatham Neighbourhood Team urged people to stay vigilant against thieves.

"Try to avoid withdrawing large amounts of cash and transfer money electronically or use cheques or travellers cheques where possible," he said.

"If you do have to take out large amounts of cash be aware of who is around you and don’t be taken in by people trying to distract you by engaging you in conversation or brushing past."

He also advised people to keep money securely in a buttoned inside pocket or a money belt.