A suspect has been charged with 16 counts of theft after alcohol and other household items were stolen from shops.

Nathan Palmer, of Johnson Avenue, Gillingham, is accused of targeting two stores in Queenborough and Sheerness on Sheppey, plus another in Bobbing, near Sittingbourne, between June 29 and December 19 last year.

It comes after police received reports of multiple shoplifting offences in Aldi, B&M Bargains and the Co-op.

The stolen items included meat, alcohol, groceries and household electrical items with a total value of more than £2,400.

An appeal for information was launched which led to Palmer being arrested at Medway Police Station yesterday (January 18).

He was then charged by investigators from the Swale Victim Based Crime Team with 16 counts of theft.

The 28-year-old was remanded in custody to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court today (January 19).