A shop worker has told how £5,000 worth of jewellery was stolen from a town store in a baffling daylight raid.

Three people - a man and two women - are alleged to have swiped the necklace and bracelet from Claybrooks in William Street, Herne Bay, on Saturday, May 4.

After entering the store at about 4.20pm, they told staff they wanted to buy the items.

The suspects stood next to the counter for several minutes as the valuables were being packed before leaving the store, saying they needed to withdraw extra cash to purchase the goods.

Minutes later, staff realised the jewellery had been taken.

One said: "We just had a gut feeling that something wasn’t right, checked the bag and saw the two heavy items had gone. By that time the three customers gone.

"The bracelet was worth about £1,300 and the chain £4,000.

“No one saw them do it. Somehow they took the items out of the bag. The police have watched the CCTV as well and we still can’t work out which of them did it.

“It was just sleight of hand. They weren’t aggressive or anything, they were very clever thieves.”

She says shops across the town need more to help to battle crime.

Only two years ago a hooded man wielding an axe stole 20 gold rings worth thousands of pounds from Claybrooks. No one has been prosecuted for the offence.

“It’s getting worse round here," she added. "The police aren’t around and crime is going on constantly and everyone’s getting away with it.

“It’s the same for all the shops in the town; we don’t get support in the town. It’s getting ridiculous.

“I don’t feel so safe round here. You can’t trust anyone.”

The male suspect in the latest theft is thought to be in his 60s and was wearing a long black jacket, waist coat, multi-coloured scarf, blue trousers and black shoes.

One of the women is said to be between 50 and 60 years old and the other in her 20s. They were both wearing dark clothes.

Officers have released CCTV images of three people they would like to would like to identify who may be able to assist with their enquiries..

Police are urging any witnesses or anyone with information about it to call them on 01843 222289, quoting the reference number 46/84963/19.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay.