A beauty therapist has warned other businesses to be vigilant after a thief swiped cash from her salon while she worked.

A woman is believed to have entered the premises in Chatham High Street at 2.41pm yesterday and took the day's takings while the owner was treating a client.

Salon owner Jess, who does not want her full name published, believes the woman and three men who waited outside then targeted another business.

"I was inside one of the treatment rooms, waxing a client," said Jess, who has released CCTV from her shop.

"She just strolled in and started searching the reception area, then she strolled around the back.

"The money was in a different area.

"In the last video you see her come out and you can see her stuff something inside her bag."

CCTV images show a woman scouring the salon in Chatham High Street while the owner worked.

She said all the money she had earned so far that day was stolen, amounting to £180.

"It's really hard," she said. "That was a busy day and I'm not busy all the time. We've not even come out of lockdown yet - it's a significant amount of money. I've had to work all day for that.

"I was so upset last night - I was just crying my eyes out, and my partner felt bad because he had gone away for a funeral.

"It's not a good time at all.

"I'm just hoping she doesn't get any other shops."

Police spokesman James Walker said the force was investigating and added that officers were working to establish the full circumstances.

It has not been confirmed if any other businesses were targeted.

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