Kent Police Raids

Police say they made a total sixty-five arrests during two days of action across Kent, targeting those suspected of a wide range of crimes including burglary, vehicle theft and drugs supply.

The operation led by Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate saw raids taking place across the county on Wednesday and Thursday.

Twelve people have been charged with a variety of offences. Among them is an 11 year old boy who is accused of shoplifting. Twenty-seven others have been released on bail, three have been given cautions and twelve were released without any further action. Eleven people arrested during the operation are still being questioned.

Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Wilson, who leads the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "Operation Zinc II has achieved exactly what we set out to do. We wanted to bring to justice those individuals who make others lives a misery through their illegal behaviour.

"It is extremely unfair when a small minority have such a negative effect on a community through crimes like thefts and burglaries, and drug offences. 

"Communities are at the heart of everything we do and we are here to serve the people of Kent and Essex. If you are concerned about illegal behaviour in your area, please contact your local policing team."
 
This is the second large-scale Day of Action co-ordinated by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate since its formation in June 2010.

The Directorate is one of the largest divisions in UK policing dedicated to tackling serious and organised crime, with more than 1100 officers and staff working together across both counties.