A wig-wearing robber and bogus police officers were among the Kent criminals to have been jailed for more than 60 years last month.

Detectives and police constables also issued 61 new charges and made 17 arrests over the same period.

DCI Lopa McDermott, who leads the police chief constable's crime squad, said: "It is vitally important that offenders who cause substantial harm to our communities are removed from the streets and that has been achieved thanks to high-quality investigations carried out by my officers.

"The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has presented numerous policing challenges, but these have not detracted from our efforts to provide victims with the first-class service they have every right to expect."

Custodial sentences were issued in May totalling 63 years.

One of them was a bald thief who thought stealing from homes while wearing wigs was a masterstroke.

But he was foiled by police as he could still easily be recognised.

Darren Giardina stockpiled an array of hair disguises in an attempt to conceal his identity during a four-month crime spree across Thanet.

He was jailed for 15 years.

Three men who tricked their way into a gated community in Westerham by posing as police officers were jailed for a total of more than 12 years.

Daniel Bowen, Daniel Kelly and Louis Ahearne gained access into apartments in Ide Hill by wearing police uniforms and using a blue flashing light mounted to their car.

A robber who held a knife to casino staff members' throats and stole more than £11,000 had become a "slave to gambling", a court has heard.

Florjan Lleshi was sentenced to seven years imprisonment, having previously pleaded guilty to robbing three amusement arcades, including Admiral Casino in Gillingham.

Although the chief constable’s crime squad primarily deals with burglars and robbers, their "investigative skills" often mean their case load is much more varied.

Two men, for example, received prison sentences for non-recent sexual offences totalling 19 years as a result of investigations carried out by officers working in the team.

In addition to the prison sentences, it charged a suspect with an armed robbery at a travel agent in Chatham and also received authority to a charge a man, formerly on the most wanted list, with six motorbike thefts committed across east Kent.

DCI McDermott added: "The criminals jailed last month showed a flagrant disregard for the harm they caused victims and, in many circumstances, specifically targeted people who they knew to be vulnerable.

"It is exceptionally pleasing that we are achieving good results for victims of crime, but we shall allow no margin for complacency."

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