Minster residents reunited with stolen goods at property identification day

Image Kent Police

Eight victims of theft will be reunited with their stolen belongings after a successful property identification day in Minster.

The property had been recovered by officers investigating a number of thefts from cars in the village between November 3-4.

The items, which included satnavs, sunglasses and bags, went on show at Minster and Monkton Royal British Legion Social Club on Saturday (December 1).

Minster Police Community Support Officer Adrian Butterworth said: “We had a really positive response and between 20 and 25 people who had all been the victim of vehicle crime came along to see if any of their property had been recovered.

“We managed to link items to a total of eight victims, some of whom were from other areas of Thanet such as Birchington and had not yet come forward to report thefts from their vehicles.”

Property identified by victims included sentimental items such as an antique teddy bear and an antiquarian book, he said.

The property will be held by Kent Police as evidence until the conclusion of any criminal proceedings and will then be returned to its rightful owners.

PCSO Butterworth is urging people to protect themselves against opportunist thieves by not leaving valuable items in their cars and ensuring vehicles are locked at all times.

He said: “A lot of people use their key fobs to lock their cars and assume it has worked. We would always urge them to double check the door handle, too, just to be on the safe side.

“We also urge people not to leave satnavs and other valuable items in their cars, as they can be an open invitation to thieves on the lookout for an easy target.”

Mark William Horton, 45, and Jennifer Susan Child,  34, of Freemans Road, Minster, Ramsgate, were arrested on Saturday and have been charged with two counts of receiving stolen goods and three counts of theft from a motor vehicle. They have been bailed to appear at Margate Magistrates’ Court today (December 3).