Thieves have stolen fuel worth £20,000 in a series of targeted raids... all on Friday nights.

Petrol stations and rural firms near Maidstone have been hit in the raids, in which 15,000 litres of fuel have been taken.

In the first raid, on the night of April 5 between 7pm and 7am the next morning, the Murco garage at Boughton Monchelsea was hit.

A total of 2,200 litres of diesel was taken from the main fuel tank.

The crime was discovered the next day when a metal gate at the tank swung open into the road.

Staff found the cover to the tank storage was open, the locking cover to the tank had been removed and there was a large diesel spillage.

Then, on April 12, thieves struck at the AA Lock Transport in Headcorn, where 9,500 litres of fuel worth £13,000 was removed.

The offenders had climbed over a barbed wire fence and removed the fuel cover and then pumped the fuel out between 8.30pm and 6am the next day.

Again, spilt diesel was found at the crime scene.

Finally, at the Esso garage in Maidstone Road, Sutton Valence, 3,000 litres were taken at around 11pm on April 19.

A padlock was broken off and diesel worth £5,000 was taken.

Police would like to speak to two men seen in the area with a Ford Transit van.

Officers investigating all three crimes are looking at CCTV and analysing forensic evidence where possible.

Anyone with information about the incidents can call 101 quoting the crime report number, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.