Police in Sheerness have intensified their shoplifting crackdown, leading to two arrests and several charges against individuals suspected of multiple thefts from businesses in the town.
Recent Arrests and Charges
William Harris – Arrested for Multiple Thefts
Between Friday, 27 December 2024, and Wednesday, 8 January 2025, staff at three separate High Street stores reported that multiple items, including confectionery and laundry products, had been stolen.
Following investigations, police arrested William Harris, 55, of The Broadway, Minster-on-Sea. He was later charged with:
- Three counts of theft
- Breaching a restraining order, which prevented him from entering one of the shops
- Failing to provide a drug test sample while in police custody
Harris appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 9 January and has been remanded to reappear at the same court next week.
Charlie Wicks – Arrested for Shoplifting and Bike Theft
In a separate investigation, officers arrested Charlie Wicks, 34, of Vincent Gardens, Sheerness, in connection with several thefts in the town centre.
Wicks was charged with:
- Four counts of shoplifting related to thefts from Iceland (24 September 2024) and the Co-op (between 29 September and 2 October 2024)
- Theft of a bicycle in Sittingbourne on 3 September
He has been remanded to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 10 January.
Police Commitment to Tackling Retail Crime
Chief Inspector Vanessa Foster praised the partnership between local police and businesses, reaffirming officers’ commitment to reducing shoplifting:
“Our local officers have an excellent working relationship with those employed in the town’s shops and businesses. We remain determined to protect them from crime and will be relentless in our pursuit of those who choose to target them.”
Ongoing Shoplifting Prevention Efforts
Police in Sheerness continue to work with local businesses to prevent shoplifting and ensure offenders face legal consequences.
Authorities encourage businesses and shoppers to report suspicious activity and provide CCTV footage to assist in ongoing investigations.
Further updates on the cases will follow as proceedings progress in court.
