Four arrests and more than 300 exhibits seized, including weapons and suspected cloned plates, after an attempted motorbike theft in Westerham's Market Square.
Four people have been arrested and more than 300 pieces of evidence seized after an attempted robbery in Westerham’s Market Square, Kent Police said on Wednesday. (Kent Police, Over 300 pieces of evidence seized following report of attempted robbery in Westerham, 23 September 2026)
The force says attempts were allegedly made to steal a motorbike parked in Market Square shortly before 7.15pm on Friday 14 August. Members of the public challenged the group. The offenders then reportedly made threats to the motorbike’s owner before leaving empty handed.
Warrants in Westerham and Croydon
An investigation began immediately, including what the force describes as an extensive review of available CCTV. On Wednesday 16 September, officers carried out search warrants at addresses in Westerham and Croydon, and four suspects were detained.
The property searches produced more than 300 exhibits, including:
- clothing and mobile phones
- weapons
- suspected stolen property
- motorbike parts
- suspected cloned number plates
Who was arrested
Kent Police set out the arrests as follows. Nobody has been charged, and the force has not named anyone.
- An 18 year old man from Croydon was arrested on suspicion of robbery and theft.
- A second 18 year old man from Croydon was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.
- A 16 year old boy from Westerham was detained on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft, conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis.
- A second 16 year old boy from Westerham was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of cannabis.
All four have since been bailed pending further enquiries. (Kent Police, 23 September 2026)
A live concern in the town
Vehicle theft in Westerham was already on the district’s radar. Councillors were told on 10 September that a vehicle theft investigation was running in the town, with officers working with the local Community Speed Watch group to locate vehicles. That update came in Kent Police’s district briefing to the People and Places Advisory Committee, which also reported district crime down 3.1% on the year. The force’s Wednesday statement does not say whether it is the same investigation. (Sevenoaks District Council, People and Places Advisory Committee minutes, 10 September 2026)
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Smith called the operation “an excellent example of collaborative working across multiple teams, combining proactive policing, intelligence development and investigative persistence to disrupt serious offending and progress a complex investigation”.
He also asked victims to come forward quickly: “If you find yourself a victim of vehicle theft, please report crimes to the police in a timely manner so we can obtain evidence swiftly and better understand where and how offending of this nature is happening.” (Kent Police, 23 September 2026)
What it means for you
If you own a motorbike or scooter, the force’s advice is to lock, chain and cover it, keep it in a secure outbuilding where possible, and consider an alarm with tracking and immobilisation or property marking. Kent Police publishes detailed guidance on keeping motorcycles safe.
Reports can be made to Kent Police on 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress. You can check recorded offences for your own street on our Sevenoaks crime data page, which maps the latest police.uk figures for the district.
Sources
- Kent Police, Over 300 pieces of evidence seized following report of attempted robbery in Westerham, 23 September 2026
- Sevenoaks District Council, People and Places Advisory Committee printed minutes, 10 September 2026
- Kent Police, motorcycle and scooter theft prevention advice
Image: Market Square, Westerham, by Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph on Wikimedia Commons. The photo shows the square, not the incident.
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