Five people have been arrested over "car key burglaries" in north Kent.

The offence takes place when someone breaks into a property with the specific aim of removing the occupant’s keys and stealing their vehicle.

Police stopped a car in Orpington yesterday (August 14) and subsequently charged the following with three counts of burglary:

  • Thomas Ripley, 20, of Star Lane, St Mary Cray
  • Jack Hever, 19, of Priorsford Avenue, Orpington 
  • Shannon Kelynack, 18, of Leesons Hill, Orpington
  • A 16-year-old boy from Northfleet

The four people are accused of burgling two properties in Dartford between August 6 and August 7, and a third in Hartley, Sevenoaks, between August 13 and August 14.

A BMW was reported stolen from one of the Dartford addresses, and two Mercedes cars from the property in Hartley.

The three adults have all been remanded in custody to reappear before magistrates on August 18.

And the 16-year-old has been remanded in custody until August 16.

Furthermore, a 15-year-old girl from Orpington has been released on bail pending further enquiries until September 30.

Enquiries are ongoing into a number of other similar incidents throughout north Kent.