A ram raider and his accomplice are being hunted by police after the Co-op at The Parade, Northwood Drive, Sittingbourne, was targeted just before midnight yesterday.

A man driving a stolen car, reversed into the shop front, and stole a large quantity of cigarettes, which he stuffed into a large bag.

He drove off along Bell Road towards the village of Tunstall. Eyewitnesses say the boot was not shut tight and cigarettes spilled out onto the road as they made a getaway.

The pair used a white Ford Granada which had been stolen from an address in Merlin Close, Sittingbourne, after 10.30pm.

The vehicle was found in Unity Street, Sittingbourne, at midday today.

The vehicle registration number was G810 APA, but police believe that it was driven on false plates.

Police issued a description of the accomplice after viewing CCTV footage. He is is a white man, wearing jeans, white trainers and a longer black jacket which comes to the top of his thighs.

The driver is around 5ft 7” or 8” tall. He was wearing a dark jacket with the hood pulled up with silver or white markings down the sleeves.

Some of the stolen cigarettes were found in the car, but a large quantity are still missing and police believe a second vehicle was used to escape in.

They want to hear from anyone who may have seen the car prior to the raid, or saw it being driven away afterwards. They need to trace anyone who may have seen the men park the car in Unity Road and may have seen the vehicle they escaped in.

They also want to hear from any residents in the Unity Road area who may have seen an unfamiliar car parked in their road on Monday.

The cigarettes stolen were a mix of a most of the popular brands, but did not have any distinctive identifying markings or labels.

Anyone who may have any information about this robbery or may know who was involved, is asked to contact the investigation team at Sittingbourne police station on 01795 419182 quoting reference number CY/19861/08.

Alternatively, you can call Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.