Two men remanded in custody following investigation into the theft of a camper van

Two stolen motorhomes have been returned to their owner after the suspected thieves were apprehended by Road Police Force (RPU) officers.

On Thursday, June 6, at approximately 10.35 p.m., a burglary was reported at a commercial premises in Lower Dicker, near Hailsham.

Specialist RPU officers from Sussex and Kent Police traced both stolen vehicles.

The first vehicle was stopped on the A228 motorway heading east.

The second was stopped on the M25 at junction 3 in Swanley after a chase which resulted in the driver of a campervan damaging a Kent Police vehicle.

Two men were arrested in connection with the incident. Following an investigation by Eastbourne Investigation Team A (RIT), a total of nine charges were brought against two suspects.

Sussex Police can confirm that Richard Pollard, 37, of no fixed address, has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified from driving, driving without valid insurance and criminal damage.

Meanwhile, Steven Songhurst, 40, of no fixed address, was charged with driving while impaired under the influence of drugs, theft of a motor vehicle, driving in breach of a driving licence, driving without valid insurance, criminal damage and failure to produce a form of identity card . blood for analysis.

Both men appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on June 8 and were remanded in custody to appear in court again on July 5 to answer the charges.

RPU Sergeant Chris Ambrose said:

“Two camper vans were stolen near Hailsham and then drove out of Sussex towards Kent.

“Our officers tracked them down and, with the help of our colleagues in Kent, managed to arrest both drivers.

“Both teams worked efficiently to recover the stolen vehicles and ensure they could be returned to the owner.

“It shows the professionalism and determination of officers in stopping criminals using our roads in the South East.”