Two early-morning shop raids in east Kent today are being linked by police.

Detectives believe the burglaries at the Co-op in Reculver Road, Beltinge, and Post Office in Island Road, Upstreet, are connected.

The Co-op was targeted at about 2.38am, with a brick used to smash the glass door.

Those responsible attempted to steal cigarettes, but fled empty-handed.

Almost an hour later, at 3.37am, a glass panel of the door at the Post Office was shattered as the raiders made their way inside.

This time they fled with a haul of cigarettes.

DI Richard Allen says detectives are linking the two crimes and pursuing a number of lines of enquiry.

He said: "We believe the offenders must have had a vehicle to enable them to commit both burglaries in such a short timescale, and we urge anyone who saw a suspicious vehicle at either Beltinge or Upstreet - or nearby Nethergong Hill - to contact us.

"We also urge people – especially the owners of rural businesses – to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour."

Anyone with information about the raids should call police on 01843 222289, quoting reference number 18-0084.