Thieves who made off with a haul of cigarettes in an overnight raid are being hunted by police.

The Esso garage in King’s Road, Herne Bay, was taped off by officers at 5am on Tuesday after being targeted just after 4.15am.

Cars were not allowed onto the forecourt and the shop was closed to the public.

Detective Sergeant Brian Doughty says the theft is being linked to a similar incident the previous day, also around 4.15am, at a convenience store in Station Road, Birchington, in which a quantity of cigarettes was stolen.

DS Doughty said: “We believe three offenders used a crowbar to force open the door of the petrol station.

“They put the cigarettes into a large, yellow builders’ supply-type bag and left the scene in a dark-coloured car, possibly an executive-style saloon.”

He said a yellow builders’ supply-type bag had also been used in the Birchington burglary the previous night.

“We are linking the two incidents and are following a number of lines of enquiry,” he said.

“We are asking anyone who saw people acting suspiciously in either Birchington or Herne Bay at the relevant times to contact us. We would also like to hear from anyone offered cigarettes for sale.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01843 222289 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference number 06-0081 for the Birchington burglary or 07-0017 for the Herne Bay burglary.