A security system is believed to be responsible for smothering late-night shoppers in smoke at Fremlin Walk, Maidstone.

The anti-theft device went off about 7.30pm this evening, half-an-hour before the stores were due to close.

Some initially thought a fire had broken out at the town centre shopping mall, but security staff were quick to reassure people that it was a false alarm at Storm Front store which sells Apple products.

The system is designed to disorientate would-be thieves by filling the store with smoke to impede their escape.