An investigation is under way after two raids at antiques shops in Hythe over the weekend.

Both premises were targeted within 24 hours of each other on consecutive nights but police are not yet saying whether the two incidents are thought to be linked.

It comes after a celebrity antiques dealer published a chilling video of the moment a raider burst into her shop to raid it.

Alison Chapman, best known for her regular appearances as an antiques expert on hit television programmes including Secret Dealers and David Dickinson's Real Deal, put out a Facebook appeal to track down the burglar.

Her Hythe shop Owlets, in the High Street, was broken into in the early hours of yesterday morning while she was away in Leeds.

The other place targeted was the Malthouse Arcade - an antiques bazaar comprising of 39 shops and stalls - police today confirmed.

A spokesman said that it is "too early to say" whether the incidents are connected with each other.

In the video, the raider used what appears to be a crowbar, before smashing the door and breaking glass cabinets to steal gold and silver jewellery, watches and collectables.

After being told of the burglary, Alison said she was "in a state of shock".

Speaking on her Facebook site, she said: "At around 2am some person/s have smashed through the front door of my lovely shop, smashed cabinets and grabbed what they could.

"I am sitting on a train willing it to go faster, trying to get back home to Kent. I'm grateful that it was at night and none of my staff or myself were involved.

"We photograph every item of stock. By tomorrow I will easily identify each piece this man stole. I do have some even better footage, but, I can't release this at the moment."

The shop owner said she had more evidence, but couldn't release it yet.

She added: "When he breathes and rests his face on the window pane, that was one place where they got his DNA."

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police is investigating a burglary that took place on Sunday, November 16 at Owlets, in High Street, Hythe.

"A quantity of jewellery was stolen and damage was sustained to a door. Officers continue their enquiries."

Video: The moment a raider broke into Alison Chapman's store

Alison, 53, added that she was "totally devastated" to see her shop after the raid.

She said: "It's lucky I have a sunny disposition. When I saw it with my own eyes I was just so shocked and totally devastated.

"A cabinet which was a family heirloom was smashed which was horrible. But the police are really confident they'll catch him.

"The man had a really big nose and it's had me looking at everyone's noses as they come in the shop today. It's made me very paranoid."

Alison has appealed to anyone who recognises the thief to contact Kent Police quoting crime ref: ZY/37612/14.

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