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Wouldham residents release CCTV footage appearing to show car thieves

16:00, 25 November 2016

Residents of a quiet village have released CCTV footage of men looking in cars and trying to break in after a month of crime.

Wouldham villagers are at their wits' end with the thefts, which have seen sat-navs, loose change, and even vehicles taken.

But now they have released CCTV in the hope of catching those responsible.

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CCTV on Knowle Road caught a man checking cars to see if they were locked.
CCTV on Knowle Road caught a man checking cars to see if they were locked.

The footage, which has been shared with the Kent Messenger, was captured in the early hours of yesterday morning.

It shows men approaching cars and appearing to check if they are locked, as well as shining a torch into some vehicles.

A Land Rover Discovery was taken that night, between 10pm on Wednesday night and 9am yesterday.

But this isn't the only time in the past month villagers have awoken to find they were victims of theft.

Residents first noticed disturbances on Monday, October 24, when a variety of belongings were found strewn around.

A number of items were subsequently recovered, including wallets with cards left inside, but money taken.

Many residents reported these incidents to the police, and officers subsequently arrested a 25-year-old man on Friday, November 18 in connection to the thefts.

CCTV on Knowle Road caught a man shining a torch into cars.
CCTV on Knowle Road caught a man shining a torch into cars.

He has been bailed, pending further inquiries, until Saturday, January 28.

Wouldham was also targeted as part of a spate of van thefts in areas surrounding Maidstone between Thursday, November 3 and Thursday, November 10.

A Ford Transit van was reported stolen from the High Street, with the theft occurring between 9pm on Wednesday, November 9 and 9.40am on Thursday, November 10.

Now, the residents are debating setting up a Neighbourhood Watch group to catch the culprits and show a united front against crime in the area.

No arrests have been made in connection with last week’s theft, and anyone with information is asked to call police on 01622 604100 quoting YY/026297/16.

If you have information about the van theft from Wouldham High Street, call police using crime reference YY/024678/16.

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