A GANG of men armed with crowbars has been targeting supermarkets across Kent and south east London.

The latest raids took place early in the morning at Sainsbury's in Dartford town centre and Marks & Spencer at the Bluewater shopping centre, bringing the total number to 11 in Kent.

Three men turned up in a car and smashed in the door to the horticultural department at Marks & Spencer a few minutes before 5am last Wednesday.

But they were spotted by security guards and fled empty-handed, leaving a few broken plant pots behind.

Just after 5am the same morning, three men turned up in a car at Sainsbury's, Instone Road, Dartford, broke in, damaged eight tills and stole £200 in cash.

Police are linking all 11 attacks in Kent, but are baffled by the short time-scale between the last two robberies because of the distance between Bluewater and Dartford town centre.

Police are advising all store managers to arrange for cash to be removed from tills overnight, and to review their security procedures. Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.