Clampdown on car and motorbike thieves sees crime reductions across west Kent

A clampdown on vehicle thieves has led to increased arrests and crime reductions across west Kent.

Over the past year, enforcement by response teams and proactive patrols has also helped to solve more than double the number of crimes than the previous period. 

In Sevenoaks, reported thefts of vehicles including cars, vans and motorcycles fell by 22 per cent, from 342 offences between March 2023 and February 2024, to 266 for the latest corresponding period.

Areas in Maidstone and across Tonbridge and Malling have also seen encouraging reductions in crime, by 4.4 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively.

Cracking the gangs

Chief Superintendent Neil Loudon said:

‘We are continuing to proactively identify and target suspects, including those we know travel from areas of London and Essex to target homes and vehicles in west Kent which are close to the motorway network.'Many of the higher value vehicles stolen are targeted by criminals who then ship them overseas, but we are working closer than ever with our colleagues from neighbouring police forces to crack the organised gangs responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime.’

A Mercedes stolen from Westerham was recently recovered in Essex, after a recovery truck it had been loaded onto was pursued by officers through the Dartford Crossing.

The car was reported stolen at 8.55am on Thursday 20 March 2025, after the keys were taken following a break-in at an address in Westerham Road.

Local officers quickly identified and followed the recovery truck, and by 10.10am colleagues from Essex Police had assisted with bringing it to a stop and two suspects were arrested.

The stolen vehicle was recovered, and an investigation is ongoing.  

Watch the footage here - Enforcement to tackle vehicle thieves in west Kent

Proactive patrols are making more arrests and reducing crime.

Charges linked to Land Rover thefts

On Wednesday 2 April, officers investigating the thefts of several Land Rovers and Ford Fiestas, from victims in areas including Sevenoaks and Tonbridge,  carried out searches at an address in Hever Road, Edenbridge.

Callum Spencer, 20, of Hever Road, was arrested and later charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles (between December 2024 and March 2025), as well as further theft offences.

He was remanded in custody to appear before Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on Thursday 3 April.

Two further suspects linked to the investigation were detained in New Addington near Croydon and are currently bailed pending further enquiries. 

Chief Supt Loudon added:

‘Our officers are identifying and arresting more suspects and we are also encouraged that the amount of vehicle thefts solved in west Kent has also risen, by 114 per cent, from 28 to 60.'We know how the theft of a vehicle, including its contents can disrupt people’s daily lives and sometimes seriously damage their livelihoods and there will be no let-up in the regular operations both our uniformed and plain clothes patrols use to target thieves.’

Advice