by Hayley Robinson

A man has been charged with a Boxing Day burglary in Kemsley.

Denzil Stewart, 20, of no fixed abode, was arrested on December 26 after police were called to reports of a break-in at a property in Beauvoir Drive.

The police helicopter and dog unit were used in the search.

He was initially released on bail but was charged when he returned to Sittingbourne police station on February 6. He will appear at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on April 4.

James Rafferty, also of no fixed abode, has been charged with burglary other than from a dwelling.

He was arrested after police were called to Boots in Sittingbourne High Street at 1.40am on Wednesday, February 20. The 46-year-old has been remanded in custody.

Kent Police launched Operation Castle three weeks ago as part of a crackdown on burglary and vehicle crime across the county.

For the past 13 weeks, we have been reporting on a spike in the number of burglaries and attempted break-ins across the area.

To date, 154 have been brought to the paper’s attention. The latest incidents are as follows:

Two 10in alloy wheels, a black and yellow toolbox and its contents plus three padlocks were stolen from a back garden shed in Trinity Road, Milton Regis, between February 11 and February 15 – XY/005171/13.

A yellow and a blue pressure washer were stolen from a summer house in the back garden of a property in Capel Road, Sittingbourne, between February 10 and February 15 – XY/005278/1.

A dark green bicycle with flat wheels was taken from a shed in Portland Avenue, Murston, on February 12 or 13. A safety helmet was also stolen – XY/004822/13.

Several items were taken from a garden shed in Quinton Road, Quinton, overnight on February 21 but were later found by police.

They included a yellow generator, two hand grinders, a car battery, two billhooks, a Yankee hand axe, two other hand axes, a mitre saw blade, a red extension lead, and three lengths of copper pipe – XY/005828/13.

A watchful neighbour scared off two men by shouting at them after seeing them breaking into a garden shed in Clerke Drive, Kemsley, at 9pm on Friday – XY/005982/13.

A life jacket, wet weather clothing and the plug and cable from a plant heater were stolen from a garden shed in Woodstock Road, Sittingbourne, overnight on February 18 –XY/005664/13.

Several items of fishing equipment were stolen from another shed in Woodstock Road overnight on February 14 –XY/005416/13.

A front door lock was damaged during an attempted burglary in Wickham Close, Newington, between 11.30am and 4.45pm on February 17 – XY/005431/13.

External damage was caused to a fire exit door after thieves attempted to burgle Jewsons, Crown Quay Lane, Sittingbourne, between noon and 7pm on February 9 – XY/004551/13.

A jacket, wallet and keys were taken in a burglary at a property in Highsted Valley, Rodmersham, between 12.30pm and 3.30pm on February 21 –XY/5738/13.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Kent police on the non-emergency number, 101, quoting the reference number