A jewellery shop in Bluewater, reportedly the Breitling watch store, has been burgled by eight suspects with sledgehammers.

It is believed that the alleged robbers used a heavy duty cable, stolen from a children’s park, to form a zip line as well as harnessing a rope to climb up and out of the shopping complex.

A vehicle was also reportedly torched in the raid which happened in the early hours of Monday morning (June 20).

The break-in was reported to police at 2.19am by security guards who were alerted by CCTV monitors.

It is believed that around eight people entered the centre and smashed the shop’s glass front using the sledgehammers.

A large amount of watches were reported stolen.

The group is then believed to have left through the Rose Gallery (green) car park, smashing doors on the way out.

The suspects were all wearing dark clothing with their faces covered by balaclavas.

Just before the burglary a silver Ford Mondeo was found alight in the middle level of the Thameswalk (blue) car park.

Investigating officers also found a heavy duty cable padlocked across Mounts Road in Greenhithe and are appealing for witnesses after discovering a hole in a fence near to Hedge Place Road in Greenhithe.

They would like to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity between Hedge Place Road and Stonechat Mews.

The cable is believed to have been stolen from nearby Waterstone Park in Skylark Avenue, where it formed part of a children’s zip line.

Detective Sargent, Richard Spicer said: "We are dealing with a group which appear to have gone to great lengths to carry out this burglary and I would encourage anyone with information to get in touch."

Anyone who believes they saw the suspects or has any information can call Kent Police on 01474 366149 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting crime reference XY/023608/16.