RAMRAIDERS tried to pull off the door of a shop before driving into a window to get in.

Two men wearing balaclavas were seen in the early hours of this morning fastening a rope to the door of off-licence Threshers in Tankerton Road and attaching it to their car before reversing away from the shop.

When that did not work, they turned the vehicle, a grey H-registration Ford Escort, around and drove it at the windows. After two or three attempts the glass shattered and the raiders went inside and stole some tobacco before driving off down Kingsdown Park towards Whitstable.

The car is believed to have been stolen. The shop was closed yesterday while the windows were repaired.

Anyone with information should call Canterbury police on 01227 762055 or Crimestoppers, free and confidential, on 0800 555 111.