Officers have arrested 28 people in west Kent since a campaign against burglary started at the end of October.

Op Castle, which runs every year, aims to teach the public how to avoid becoming a victim of burglary while at the same time bringing offenders to justice.

It has so far seen multiple warrants carried out across the division, which covers Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks.

The following people have been charged as a result:

Tonbridge:

Three men were arrested earlier this month for their alleged roles in burglaries at a home in Tonbridge and another in Borough Green.

Jamie Button, 42 and formerly of St Mary’s Road in Strood, Paul Ham, 42 and of Windmill Street in Rochester and Ashley Hammond 28, and of no fixed abode, have all been charged with the offences which took place on November 6 and November 9 respectively.

Dario Salvato, 32 and of Quincewood Gardens, in Tonbridge, has been charged with the burglary of a property in Hectorage Road. The offence is alleged to have been committed on 9 November.

Sevenoaks:

Thomas Wilkins, 23 and of The Moorings in Sittingbourne, has been charged with the attempted burglary of a dwelling in Old London Road, Knockholt, which took place on October 26.

Ch Supt Julia Chapman, district commander for the West Division, said: "This year we have observed a reduction in burglaries but, although that is encouraging, we will not stop our efforts to prevent future burglaries and bring those who offend to justice.

"Officers across the division have been working incredibly hard to both locate offenders and educate people on how to keep their homes safe.

"All of this is making it harder and harder for would-be offenders to commit crime."