Bodycam footage shows the moment a prolific thief was arrested by police as he hid under a bed.

Billy Bird carried out a two-week spree of thefts across Faversham and Ashford, targeting multiple stores and stealing hundreds of pounds worth of alcohol and food.

However, the 27-year-old’s crimes caught up with him when officers swooped on Whiting Crescent, Faversham, on September 5.

An officer can be heard telling colleagues they have “got someone hiding in a bed at the moment”.

Bird, who is well-known to police, appears to have cut the material covering the frame of the bed and attempted to conceal himself within it.

But the officers then lift it up, revealing the thief inside.

“Oh, it’s Billy. You’re under arrest, mate,” the officer adds.

Bird has now been banned from entering multiple stores, including Poundland in Faversham and all Kent Co-ops.

It follows a fortnight of repeated shoplifting.

On Tuesday, August 19, Bird concealed a bottle of whiskey in his hoodie in Tesco in Faversham and left without paying. That same day, he stole alcohol worth almost £200 from Sainsbury’s in Bysing Wood Road.

Just over a week later, on August 27, he took groceries worth £75 from the Co-op in Hunters Avenue, Ashford, and returned later that afternoon to steal more items.

That evening, he went back to Tesco in Faversham and swiped alcohol valued at £212.

In the early hours of the following morning, Bird refuelled his vehicle at the Thanet Way services to the value of £80.06 and drove off without making any attempt to pay.

On September 4, he again targeted Sainsbury’s in Faversham, stealing three bottles of vodka.

He was charged with seven counts of theft from a shop and later pleaded guilty to all offences, including driving without a licence or insurance and trespassing on a railway line.

On October 16, Bird was sentenced to eight weeks in prison at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court.

The Ospringe resident was also made subject to a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order prohibiting him from entering all Co-op stores in Kent.

He is now also banned from Sainsbury’s in Bysing Wood Road, Tamil’s Premier Express and Carters Newsagents in Market Place, Poundland in Preston Street, Lychgate Service Station on the Thanet Way and Tesco in Crescent Road.

Sergeant Christopher Hill said: “Bird’s repeated thefts caused disruption and loss to several businesses across Faversham and Ashford.

“Thanks to the swift work of our officers, he was identified, arrested, and brought before the courts.

“The Criminal Behaviour Order imposed will help protect local retailers from further offending and sends a clear message that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.”