Kent Police are warning shopkeepers to be vigilant after it was revealed they believe a single gang has stolen £30,000 worth of cigarettes so far this year.

In the latest burglary, two suspects stole cigarettes valued at £4,000 from Vine Stores in Old Bexley Lane, Bexley.

They targeted the store at 3:25am on Sunday (April 1), smashing the glass of the door before making off in a stolen black Nissan Sunny car.

The car was stolen from Pilgrims Court, Dartford between 9:30am on March 31 and 1am on April 1 and was later found abandoned in Bronte Grove, Dartford.

Both suspects are male and wore gloves, balaclavas and white trainers during the raid.

The first wore a grey tracksuit top and grey bottoms and is described as a slim build while the second was of a larger build and wore a grey hooded top under a darker coat.

Kent Police Detective Constable Richard Duckett said: “We would urge shopkeepers who sell a large amount of cigarettes to ensure they take extra security precautions so that they do not become a victim of a similar burglary.

“Please be vigilant and ensure CCTV is fully functional, that your security blinds inside and outside your premises work properly and are secure and that you leave the lights on in your shop overnight to ensure your internal CCTV system can function effectively.

“We also would urge anyone who may have information about this break-in or who may have witnessed some people acting suspiciously in the Temple Hill area of Dartford - either at the time the car in question was stolen or in the early hours of the night of the 1 April - to get in touch.”

Police have linked the latest burglary to 16 similar raids this year where shops in Dartford, Swanley and Meopham were targeted.

Call Kent Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with information.

Previous raids include:

18 Jan, 2.10am - Martin Mcoll newsagents, Wrotham Road, Meopham - £3,700 worth cigarettes taken

8 Feb, 3.10am - Martin MColl Newsagents, Wrotham Road, Meopham - £2,000 worth of cigarettes taken

12 Feb, 1.50am - Martin MColl Newsagents, Wrotham Road, Meopham - £2,000 worth of cigarettes taken

15 Feb, 3am - Londis, The Parade, Meopham - £5,000 worth of cigarettes taken

17 Feb, 1.25am - CWS Ltd, Temple Hill Square, Dartford - £3,000 worth cigarettes taken

21 Feb, 1.15am - Co-Op Westerham - £4,000 worth of cigarettes taken

4 March, 12.10am - Total petrol station, Swanley - £5,240 cigarettes taken

19 March, 1am - Co-Op, Temple Hill, Dartford - £4,000 cigarettes taken