A YOUNG man who volunteered for Dorset Police has been charged with stealing body armour and Kevlar plates during a burglary last year.

Max Bateman, who is 19 and lives in Church Road, Ferndown, is to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court today charged with a series of offences.

Prosecutors allege he broke into the stockroom at Solace Global Maritime Ltd in Twin Sails House, Poole on three occasions between January and April 2019.

It is claimed that on one of the alleged burglaries, he took 16 body armour vests, 36 Kevlar plates, 13 Kevlar helmets, three canoe helmets, a jacket and a thermal imaging device.

He is charged with stealing a navy jacket, a thermal imaging device, two satellite navigation phones and a Kevlar helmet on two other occasions.

The company offers the services of travel risk management and crisis avoidance specialists.

Bateman is also accused of two counts of theft by employee. It is alleged that he stole three personalised medic epaulettes and a police issue baseball cap belonging to a sergeant at Ferndown Police Station on dates between February and April last year.

The defendant worked in engagement services for Dorset Police. Until last year, he was a contact point for police in Boscombe. He then volunteered as a liaison between town centre businesses and officers.