A shop worker was punched in the face after refusing to open his store’s safe during an attempted robbery.

The raider entered Shoezone in Broadway, Sheerness, on Sunday at 3.55pm, as the shop was closing.

He demanded the male assistant open the safe and attacked him when he refused.

Police inquiries are ongoing, but no arrests have been made.

The culprit is white, aged 22 -27, about 6ft with short hair. He was wearing a white or light grey shirt, a black jacket and blue jeans.

It is the latest in a spate of thefts from businesses, homes and chalets, including a burglary in Minster where a man was attacked with what is thought to have been a crowbar.

Inquiries are ongoing to trace the three men, who left the house in Scrapsgate Road on a quadbike.

Last week’s Times Guardian reported there had been a spate of seven burglaries in four days.

Island police inspector Tony Cannon said a series of arrests had been made and officers were taking the crime wave “seriously” and working hard.

“We are compiling intelligence reports and are conducting a mixture of intensive high-visibility and covert work on these issues,” he said.

“We are determined to bring those responsible to justice, but ask the public to be extremely vigilant and take basic steps to ensure their properties and valuables are protected.”

Other incidents reported:

• An attempted burglary in Prince Charles Avenue, Minster, on November 30.
• Items stolen from Belmont Road, Halfway, on December 1.
• A black Suzuki GN125 motorcycle, registration number GK02 WNM, was stolen from Jacobs House, Royal Road, Sheerness, between November 29 and 30.
• The Old House at Home pub, in Queenborough High Street, was burgled on Sunday between 1.30am and 10.30am and £650 was taken.
• Eight caravans in Plough Road, Minster, and 17 in Golden Leas Park, Bell Farm Lane, Minster, were broken into between Friday and Saturday.
• An attempted burglary in The Broadway, Minster, between 1pm and 4.30pm on Sunday.
• A garden shed was broken into in Vincent Gardens, Sheerness, between Friday and Saturday.

Call police on 101 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.