Shoplifter Caught on CCTV With Knife in Ashford
Oliver Hilden, 41, from Cuckoo Lane, has been nabbed after a string of thefts in Ashford, including stealing a parcel from a residential address.
Caught on Camera After Multiple Thefts
On 6 November 2023, officers from Ashford’s Community Safety Unit identified Hilden on CCTV. He was linked to three separate shoplifting offences at a local shopping centre earlier that month.
Further CCTV footage connected him to the theft of a parcel from a home in Ashford, a case being closely investigated by the town’s Victim Based Crime Team.
More Shoplifting Charges Stack Up
The same team tied Hilden to an additional three shoplifting crimes that happened in Ashford town centre over the summer.
On 12 November, the police arrested Hilden. A search revealed he was carrying a knife at the time of his arrest.
He now faces seven counts of shoplifting, one count of theft, and possession of a knife.
Quick Justice at Medway Magistrates’ Court
Hilden appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on 13 November 2023 and pleaded guilty to all charges. He was sentenced to 180 days behind bars the very same day.
PC Steve Harding, from Ashford’s Victim Based Crime Team, said: “This investigation is a great example of collaboration across our teams, with officers working together to bring persistent offenders such as Hilden to justice swiftly.
“Tackling shoplifting is a responsibility we take seriously, and we want to encourage business owners to continue to report incidents to us.
“We are committed to tackling knife crime and removing dangerous weapons such as knives from our communities. This week, Operation Sceptre is highlighting our work with partners to target habitual knife carriers, together with weapon sweeps.”
