Arrests have been made in Swale as part of a crackdown on shoplifting in the run-up to Christmas.

Glenn David Butler, of Woodberry Drive, Murston, was charged with shoplifting and obstructing an officer in the execution of their duty after a bottle of vodka worth £13.99 was stolen from a supermarket in Sittingbourne on December 1.

The 44-year-old appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on December 2. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 days in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Danielle Goskie, of Vicarage Road, Milton Regis, was due to appear at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court yesterday accused of shoplifting offences in Sittingbourne.

The 33-year-old has been charged with four counts of shoplifting and one count of attempted shoplifting.

Danhi Smith, 20, previously of Murston Road, Sittingbourne, was charged with shoplifting two days after an incident in Sittingbourne on November 20.

He appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court last month where he was remanded to appear at court at a later date.

On 25 November, a 20-year-old man from Sittingbourne was cautioned after stealing headphones from Tesco, Sheerness, on November 19.

Melvern Silcott, of Lapwing Close, Minster, was sentenced to seven days in prison at Medway Magistrates’ Court on December 1.

The 27-year-old was originally arrested on November 30 after he took two razors worth £200 from a High Street business on November 13.

Meanwhile, a Faversham woman has been cautioned after walking out of a supermarket without paying for a trolley full of groceries.

The 59-year-old was interviewed under caution following the incident in Crescent Road, Faversham, on December 2.

Officers have been focusing foot patrols in the borough’s town centres to locate and deter offenders as well as to prevent criminal damage, violence and theft from vehicles.

Ch Insp Tony Henley, district commander for Swale, said: “Since mid-November local policing officers have been targeting their patrols in town centres.

“One offender was sent to prison for stealing razors – a warning to opportunist thieves of the consequences of breaking the law.”