Police are appealing for dashcam footage after a Co-op was broken into just 20 minutes before an unattended car was found alight.

The A227 Wrotham Road was sealed off overnight from 12.20am and remained partly closed between Meopham and Istead Rise for more than 10 hours.

During the closure, traffic could travel along Wrotham Road towards Gravesend but was prevented from coming in the opposite direction. The road reopened just before 11am.

Inquiries were underway into the incident while the vehicle awaited recovery.

Two fire engines attended, and firefighters used compressed air foam to extinguish the fire.

The fire, which is believed to have been deliberate, was put out by 1.15am.

Police were also called just before midnight to a report that three men were breaking into the Co-op in Istead Rise.

Officers attended the scene where the suspects had left in a vehicle prior to their arrival.

A search of the area was completed and around 20 minutes later the dark blue VW Golf was found alight.

Detective Sergeant Richard Taylor, of the Kent Crime Squad, said: “An investigation is underway into the burglary at the Co-op and whether the vehicle found with fire damage is connected to the incident.

“We are appealing to drivers with dashcam and residents with private CCTV to check for relevant footage in Istead Rise and the route towards Meopham.”

Anyone with information that may assist should call the appeal line on 01474 366149, quoting crime reference 46/17886/24.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form on its website.

A Co-op spokesperson said: “The store will reopen later today to serve the community and we appeal for anyone who may have seen or heard anything to come forward to the police.”