A woman arrested on suspicion of shoplifting is facing further charges after reportedly hurling racist abuse.

Police were called to Chatham High Street on Wednesday afternoon, May 30, and arrested a woman on suspicion of shoplifting after she was reported to have stolen cosmetics from a shop.

She was further arrested after officers reported hearing her use racist language about an employee of the store.

Lauren Boxall, 20, of no fixed address, has been charged with shoplifting and using threatening or abusive words in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Miss Boxall was bailed to appeal before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday June 27.