Police are hunting for a 'masked axe-man' who smashed up a store and threatened people at a shopping centre.

Officers were called to Diskworld, at The Orchards Shopping Centre, in Dartford, just after 9.30am yesterday to reports of a robbery.

A masked man allegedly ran into the shop and threatened staff with an axe.

Store owner Tony Gardner revealed around £2,500 of damage was done to equipment at the shop.

He said: "The masked guy had a axe and came into the shop smashing a couple of cabinets and took two laptops.

"My staff confronted him but he threatened them with the axe.

"Luckily the staff are okay, just a little shaken up..." Tony Gardner

"He then went into shopping centre with the axe in his hand and threatened a few people."

Mr Gardner, who found out about the robbery while on holiday, said his staff told him an off duty policeman chased the man with the axe, who later met up with two other men and made off.

He added: "Luckily the staff are okay, just a little shaken up."

Police spokesman Jo Pattinson said: "Police were called at 9.35am on Tuesday to reports of a robbery at a shop in the Orchards Shopping Centre, Dartford.

"Officers attended the scene where some computer equipment was reported to have been stolen. Inquiries are ongoing."

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