A 25-year-old man has been arrested after staff from several hairdressers in the county had their phones stolen from their workplace.

A CCTV image of a suspect was released last week alongside an appeal for information from the police after businesses were targeted.

It’s alleged a man who came in pretending to arrange an appointment for his partner swiped phones while employees were distracted.

Businesses in Sittingbourne and Medway were targeted on Thursday, December 5. Three incidents happened at shops around Sittingbourne earlier in the day where a man inquired about appointments and left before staff realised their phones had been stolen while they were distracted.

Later the same afternoon, a similar theft was reported at a hairdressers in Strood.

Police have a confirmed a man was arrested in connection with the incidents on Monday, December 16, and taken into custody.

Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01795 419119, quoting reference 46/206483/24.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or use the online form.