Police seized more than 400 boxes of shoes after thieves allegedly swapped high-value trainers for cheaper footwear at a Nike store.

Officers have charged four suspects in connection with the thefts at Ashford Designer Outlet where the items were switched and paid for through self-service tills.

The fraud was reported on three different occasions, on August 3, 24 and 31.

More than 400 boxes of shoes were seized following a search at a property in Essex.

A total of 45 boxes of trainers were identified as originating from the Ashford business.

Charges of theft and fraud were authorised today against Catalina Petre, 20, of Holmes Street, Derby; Camelia Panescu, 53, of Broadway, Grays; Francisc Dumitru, 28, of Holmes Street, Derby; and Viorel Panescu, 28 of Broadway, Grays.

They were all remanded to appear at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court today.

The branch at Ashford Designer Outlet is the county’s only Nike store.