A STORE in a Kent town has been targeted by thieves for the second time in less than a month.

Robbers snatched cash from a till in Marks & Spencer at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, Gillingham.

It is thought there were three men involved in the incident which happened at around 4.30pm on Monday, August 7.

A man threatened the cashier and grabbed a handful of cash from one of the check-outs in the food department of the store. A nearby shopper tried to intervene and was assaulted by one of the thieves. The three men then fled.

One shopper said: "It was a busy afternoon and there were lots of people around.

"I was standing in the queue and about two queues along from me I heard a scuffle. There was a man with a load of money in his hand and another man with his arm around his neck. I heard someone shout 'leave him alone' and then two other men ran over.

"The man who was trying to stop the thief ended up with a bloody nose and the other three men then ran out the fire exit at the back of the shop."

Last month, in the same store, cash was stolen from the tills and goods were also stolen from JD Sports in Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre. These incidents occurred between 4pm and 5pm on Saturday, July 22.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "Police have taken statements and are inspecting CCTV from the shopping centre."

Anyone with information can call Kent Police on 01634 884252 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.