Four men and a woman from south-east London and north Kent have been charged in connection with a series of van heists.

The five have been charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles between February 23 and August 14 this year.

Transit vans were the main targets, reportedly stripped of their parts following the thefts.

Search warrants in the early hours of September 21 were issued on all the suspects’ properties.

Sylvester Chambers, 54, and Denise Prior, 53, both of Bird in Hand Lane, Bromley, have been charged along with Jay Osborne, 35, of Parkside Avenue, Bexleyheath, Alfie Powell, 37, of Button Street, Swanley, George Powell, 40, of London Road, Farningham, and Roger Powell, 34, from Wickford in Essex.

All six appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (September 22).

They were given conditional bail and will appear in Maidstone Crown Court on October 20. 

A 29-year-old man from Farningham was also arrested in connection with the theft of motor vehicles and has been bailed, pending further enquiries, until January 6 next year.