A man has been charged in connection with an investigation into a series of thefts and burglaries across Essex and Kent.

It comes after staff members from several hairdressers in Sittingbourne and Medway reported their phones stolen from their workplace.

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

Three similar incidents happened at shops around Sittingbourne earlier the same day, with another reported in Strood during the afternoon.

A joint investigation was then launched by Essex, Thames Valley and Kent Police.

It focused on offences which took place between Thursday, December 5 and Tuesday, December 10.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “These incidents involved distraction thefts or burglaries at businesses, usually involving the theft of a mobile phone.

“On each occasion a man would enter a shop, speaking to and distracting staff before taking the device from a counter or worktop.”

A man was arrested on Monday, December 16 and later Leonard Rafaila, 25, of no fixed address, was charged with six counts of theft, two counts of burglary and one count of aggravated burglary.

He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Friday, December 20, where he was remanded in custody.

Rafaila will await a further hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, January 17.