A rare dog is thought to have been stolen after its owner's van was broken into at Bluewater.

Björn went missing on Saturday afternoon after he was left in the vehicle which was parked outside John Lewis.

Owners Michael Fox and his girlfriend Johanna Kerwien had popped into the shopping centre in Greenhithe on their way home from Kent to Essex.

When they returned to the van, at about 3pm, they discovered the window had been smashed and Björn was missing.

They are convinced he was stolen and are now appealing for help to get their beloved pet returned.

Michael said: "I think he was taken, I don't think he ran away when they broke into the van.

"I think the van was targeted for tools, there was damage where they had try to cut their way into the back."

Michael says Björn, a two-year-old Russian bolonka, will be very frightened: "He is very scared of anyone. He wouldn't have gone willingly. They would have grabbed him and forced him into a car.

"He won't be eating or drinking, he doesn't eat very much usually anyway. Wherever he is, he is going to be very scared."

Michael added: "He is like a child to us. We just want our dog back."

The Russian bolonka is a rare toy breed. Björn is brown in colour with lighter fur on his body and legs, and darker fur on his face, ears and tail.

Michael is hoping if the thieves try to sell him, a potential owner will realise something is wrong because Björn will be so nervous.

Björn is microchipped and was wearing a yellow coat.

Police are investigating and a Facebook page has been set up to try to track him down.

Michael has been told another van was targeted in the same car park around the same time as his, and tools were stolen from inside.

A laptop was also taken from Michael's van.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dog Lost on 01633 673859 or Kent Police.

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