A serial shoplifter is in custody after he was caught carrying a knife on school grounds.

Benjamin Bignall was arrested on Sunday after he was seen by police walking along North Street in Milton Regis.

The suspect made off from officers and, following a chase on foot, he was arrested in the grounds of a nearby school.

Officers searched Bignall and found a locking knife.

The 35-year-old, of The Meads Avenue, Quinton, was charged with seven shoplifting offences in the Sittingbourne area between April 25 and May 22. They related to thefts from supermarkets including meat and cosmetics.

He was also charged with possessing a knife on school premises.

Bignall appeared before Medway Magistrates' Court yesterday and admitted all the offences. He was remanded in custody to appear before the same court on Friday, June 21.

A police spokesman said: "We are continuing our crackdown on knife crime and associated offences, across the county.

"Carrying a knife increases the risk of being the victim of a serious assault and officers will continue to take robust and proactive action to detect, stop and search those believed to be in possession of weapons."

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