Three village shops were targeted by ram raiders within an hour.

Officers believe that the incidents in Lyminge, Wye and Lenham are all connected.

Despite three attempts, thieves left empty handed from each of the village stores.

The first shop targeted was a food and wine store in Canterbury Road, Lyminge. The shop's owner Thevalingam Thevakumar was awake when thieves smashed into his shop at 1.26am. The two men, wearing balaclavas and driving Mitsubishi 4x4 vehicles, left empty handed.

Mr Thevakumar dialled 999 when he realised his shop window was being smashed with a sledgehammer. He was able to read the number plate of one of the vehicles to the person who answered the emergency call and police arrived within five minutes.

Mr Thevakumar, who has run the shop for the past two years, said: "I didn't expect this to happen in this village as Lyminge is a nice, quiet village."

A quarter of an hour later, at 1.46am, the raiders were in Wye where they failed to get the cash point from the Co-operative store in Churchfield Way.

It was the third time the store has been attacked in recent years. Ram raiders hit in 2003 and again in January last year.

Last year the shop underwent a £270,000 refit.

Bollards were put in front of the shop following the 2003 raid.

The third incident was at 2.26am at a convenience store in Honeywood Road, Lenham.

The offenders used one of the 4x4s to crash into the front of the shop causing considerable structural damage. The vehicle was abandoned in the middle of the road as they left the scene having also abandoned the cash machine.

Det Ch Insp Isobel Gibson, the senior officer investigating the three incidents, said: “We believe that one of the offenders may have walked along part of the A20 after abandoning their vehicle at the scene.”

Officers are appealing to anyone who may have seen the two 4x4 Mitsubishi vehicles prior to the incidents or anyone who may have any information regarding the incidents, to contact them on 01622 604 166.

Alternatively contact Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Calls to Crimestoppers will be treated with confidence and you could receive a cash reward.

Mr Thevakumar describes the raid on his store>>>