Police

Rural businesses urged to report suspicious activity

Police officers in the Ashford area are warning rural businesses to report any suspicious activity after a series of post office robberies.

A man, thought to be with two others, forced a member of staff to open the till at Smarden post office at about 10.30am on February 9 before making off with cash.

Money was also taken from post offices in Charing on January 10 and in Pluckley on January 5.

Two service stations - at Charing and Hothfield - were also targeted in December and cash taken. On January 22 an attempt was made to break into the Singleton Barn public house in Ashford at closing time but nothing was stolen.

Detective Inspector Mark Weller said: “We have visited rural businesses to give them crime prevention advice and warn about people acting suspiciously near their premises.

“Detectives are investigating these robberies and we consider that the same people may be responsible for them.”

Descriptions have been given of two of the three men involved in the Smarden robbery. One is said to have a dark complexion, aged in his late teens, 5ft 4ins and was wearing a hooded top with a scarf around his face.

The other is believed to be Afro-Caribbean, aged 20, 5ft 8ins, wearing a black woollen hat, silver-grey padded jacket, black trousers and black boots.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Constable Karen Lorimer at Kent Police on 101, giving reference ZY/3804 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.