'Kamikaze' shoplifters target Thanet in latest crimewave

AS 'Kamikaze' shoplifting grips Britain, new crime figures have revealed that Thanet's Westwood, Northwood & Bromstone neighbourhood suffered 309 shoplifting offences last year, placing it among the top 10 worst-hit areas in Kent.

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The wave of brazen retail thefts has swept across the country, but the impact on Kent's high streets is particularly stark Kent Police recorded 16,210 shoplifting crimes in 2024, an 8% year-on-year increase and one of the highest regional totals in England.

The trend is part of a national crisis. More than 500,000 shoplifting offences were logged by police forces across England and Wales in 2024 a record-breaking 20% rise and the highest number since records began more than two decades ago.

The British Independent Retail Association (Bira) says these 'Kamikaze' thefts where criminals steal in full view of staff and customers are now so common they represent a “tipping point”.

In Kent, Dartford’s Stone & Crossways neighbourhood topped the list, with 1,229 offences, making it the second worst area in the entire southeast, just behind Brighton's North Laine & the Lanes (2,116).

Also badly affected were Sittingbourne Central & Milton Regis (469 crimes), Canterbury Central & Westgate (448) and Ashford’s Park Farm (419).

Thanet's Westwood, Northwood & Bromstone came in ninth place across Kent, but the 309 incidents recorded there mean the area experienced a shoplifting offence approximately every 28 hours - and that is only those reported to police.