Three people have been charged with 27 offences after police investigated an organised criminal network operating across Kent.

Kent Police received reports of elderly and vulnerable people being targeted by bogus workmen offering to clean driveways and guttering for a very low price and then increasing the price significantly.

Michael Collins, 21, of Kenward Road, Yalding, was charged on March 24 with one count of burglary with intent, one count of deception, one count of theft and one count of not paying for fuel, as well as 14 other driving offences.

He was released on court bail with conditions to appear at West Kent magistrates court on April but failed to appear. A warrant for his arrest has been issued.

Patrick Cash, 19, of The Cockpits, Marden, was charged on April 1 with two counts of fraud by misrepresentation, two driving offences, two counts of not paying for fuel and two counts of theft. Cash appeared at West Kent magistrates court on April 2 and pleaded not guilty to the fraud and deception, but guilty to the other offences. He was remanded in custody and a pre-trial review is being held on May 6 at West Kent magistrates court.

A third person, Miley Cash, 26, of Symonds Lane, Yalding, was charged on April 7 with two counts of fraud by misrepresentation and two driving offences. Cash is bailed to appear at West Kent Magistrates court on April 29.

The county force's Serious and Organised Crime Unit and Kent Trading Standards made the arrests after an investigation under Operation Liberal - the Home Office's national distraction burglary initiative.

A 19-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman from Marden are on police bail until May 5 pending a CPS decision to prosecute in relation to handling and money laundering offences.

Residents and homeowners can help minimise the risk of being a victim of crime by saying no to cold callers who suggest work needs doing on their homes or gardens , asking to see identification of workmen that they agree any work with and checking with the company that they work there, being aware that if the price is too good to be true, it probably is and calling Trading Standards or the police if someone is acting in a persistent, pressurized or 'pushy' manner .