Street robbers, burglars and jewellery thieves received sentences totalling more than 30 years last month thanks to one team of detectives.

The work by Kent Police's Chief Constable’s Crime Squad led to custodial terms adding up to 31 years and seven months during April.

Among those jailed through the work of this county-wide team, formed in 2019, was a robber who kicked an elderly woman in the face and a repeat burglar who stole jewellery from homes across east Kent.

Also during last month the team received authority to issue 45 new charges and made 21 arrests.

As a result of these new arrests and charges, individuals who are alleged to have threatened people with knives, or used stolen cards in fraudulent transactions, have been remanded in custody ahead of future court dates.

Det Insp Darren Reynolds, who leads the team, said: "We primarily deal with individuals who commit burglary and robbery offences – crime types that cause a huge amount of harm to the victims.

"In the two years since our launch, our investigations have led to numerous dangerous offenders being imprisoned for more than 800 years and it is pleasing to see that run of success has continued.

"Removing these people from the streets has undoubtedly made our communities safer."

Stephan Adi, 24, of Suffolk Road, Gravesend, pushed an elderly woman to the floor before snatching her handbag in the town.

He also burgled several homes across the district, with his fingerprints found at most crime scenes, and was sentenced to five years on April 27.

A man who targeted two different stores in the Dartford area over two days was also imprisoned for five years and three months. He is Michael Thormann 31, of Wright Close, Swanscombe,

During one of the incidents the offender threatened an employee with a knife and in the other a cashier was assaulted as they stood behind a till.

A burglar who stole jewellery from properties across Ashford, Folkestone and Westgate-on-Sea was also sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on April 29. He is Jimmy Gilheaney, 39, of Bristol.

In addition to securing justice in these cases, the team have also remanded numerous suspects in custody as part of ongoing investigations.

Among them are two men who are said to have entered three homes in Sheerness before threatening residents with knives.

Suspects Alfie Spain and Freddie Hanratty were charged with conspiring to commit robbery and were remanded in custody before court appearances.

Spain, 26, is from Czar Street, and Hanratty, 19, of Gosterwood Street, both in Deptford, London.

A total 15 charges were also issued against aone man who is alleged to have committed four burglaries, and 11 fraud offences across Wateringbury and Maidstone town centre.

Douglas Brown, 54, of Bow Road in Wateringbury, was remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court later in May.

DI Reynolds said: "From looking at the charges we have recently secured, the public can be assured that we are continuing to target people who we allege are involved in serious offences and taking the most robust course of action available.

"Anyone who has ambitions to commit similar offences needs to only look at the results we are achieving.

"There is no place in Kent for individuals who seek to commit robbery or commit burglary and those who do can expect to be targeted by us."

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