A string of phone shop robberies and thefts have hit east Kent.

The first of the incidents saw two robbers use pliers to steal three iPhones from a display cabinet in Canterbury on Thursday.

The pair shouted at staff in the city centre's Vodafone store before making off with the valuables.

The men walked into the shop at about 11am to spy and study their surroundings. They then returned about 40 minutes later to steal the phones.

Police are appealing for witnesses of the incident which ended with the pair heading towards Rose Lane.

Both men are described as white, in their early 20s with Eastern European accents. One was 5ft 6ins tall and of a slim build with cropped black hair and was wearing a grey hooded top and grey tracksuit trousers.

The second was 5ft 7ins tall with dark hair and was wearing a grey hooded top and blue straight-cut jeans.

That same day four Samsung phones were stolen from the EE shop in Biggin Street, Dover between 1.30pm and 1.40pm.

In a similar style incident, two men fiddled with a display, one became verbally abusive to a member of staff and the other ripped phones from the display.

Another robbery, which resulted in a staff member being pushed out of the way, took place in Dover's Carphone Warehouse the following day. One Samsung phone was stolen.

Detective Inspector Dave Cox said: "Although it is too early to say for sure if these incidents are linked it will form part of our ongoing enquiries.

"We would like to hear from anyone who saw any of the incidents or recognises the descriptions of the offenders. We also want anyone who has been offered Samsung or iPhone mobiles for sale to get in touch."

Anyone with information should call police on 01843 222289 quoting crime reference ZY/36963/18.