Three men have been arrested after cooking oil was allegedly stolen from a branch of KFC.

Officers were on patrol when they spotted a vehicle suspected to be linked to thefts from the restaurant in Whitstable last month.

The van was stopped during the early hours of Wednesday in Canterbury and a large quantity of the kitchen fat was seized.

Three suspects, all from north London, were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

The trio have since been bailed pending further inquiries, a police spokesman confirmed.

The force said a large amount of cooling oil was reported stolen from the KFC outlet on the A2990 Thanet Way in Chestfield at 3.40am on June 26.

Officers have identified another offence at the same location, which they are linking to the latest suspected burglary while they continue their investigation.

Stolen cooking oil is often used to be converted into unregulated biodiesel which is sold on the black market.

The van was stopped by police in the St Dunstan’s area of the city.

Inspector Paul Stoner from the Canterbury District Community Safety Partnership said: “I would like to remind businesses who use cooking oil in large quantities to review how securely it is kept.

“Try not to leave it on view at premises, and ideally store it in a locked area covered by CCTV.”

KFC has been contacted for comment.