Burglars stole knives and a cash till in a night-time raid on a popular café.

The suspects are believed to have used a drain cover to smash the glass door of Twenty Four, in Hythe, during the early hours of Sunday.

Patrol and forensic vehicles were seen in Douglas Avenue yesterday following the break-in, which happened at around 3.30am.

A spokesman for the café said: "They smashed their way into the front door using an extremely heavy drain cover and took the till, and kitchen knives, luckily not much else!

"Shop owners please be vigilant as this seemed to be someone who knew exactly what they were doing, and police have said there have been very similar attacks in local areas."

A police spokesman said: "We were called at 7.45am yesterday following a report that a business in Douglas Avenue, Hythe had been broken into.

"A door had been smashed before cash and other items were taken in the burglary, which is thought to have taken place between 3am and 4am that morning.

"An investigation is under way and officers are currently carrying out house to house enquiries and a review of local CCTV."

The Twenty Four Café remains open for business as usual.

Anyone with any information that may assist the investigation is urged to call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/191205/20.

You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org

Read more: All the latest news from Hythe