Police are hunting for a man who allegedly snatched rings worth thousands of pounds from a shop worker's hand.

The incident occurred at Goldsmiths in Fremlin Walk, Maidstone, at around 9.45am.

A witness, who asked not to be named, said he saw a man run past followed by lots of security staff.

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He was told the man made off with a one carat diamond ring worth £4,000.

Kent Police has since confirmed more than one ring was taken.

Another passerby, who was sitting outside Earls pub, described the moment the suspect ran past her pursued by a member of staff from Goldsmiths who screamed: "Stop him!"

He then ran towards Market Buildings where traders said several security staff and two police officers had followed him.

The alleged thief is said to have run onto High Street and into King Street before disappearing.

A Kent Police spokesman confirmed inquiries were ongoing to locate the suspect.

It is not the first time a jewellers in Fremlin Walk has been targeted.

In 2008, three men stole £30,000 of Rolex watches from nearby Fraser Hart, at the entrance of the shopping street.

Three men were later jailed for the raid, in which they used sledgehammers to smash a window.

The thieves were caught thanks to Maidstone Borough Council's dramatic CCTV footage, which captured the crime taking place and the subsequent police chase.