A gang of four threatened a shop worker with a knife during a robbery last night.

A quantity of cash was stolen during the incident at the Co-op on The Mills Industrial Estate, Esparto Way, South Darenth, at 8.15pm.

Aimi McNeill, publicity manager for the Co-op, said: “Fortunately no colleagues or customers were harmed and the store is open as normal today to serve the local community.

“The Co-op takes retail crime very seriously and implements a range of measures to both deter criminal activity and to aid convictions.

“We appeal for anyone with information to come forward to the police."

Vicki Foster, police spokesman, said: "Kent Police was called at 8.20pm on Thursday, December 28, to a report of a robbery at a shop in Esparto Way, South Darenth.

"Four people, believed to be male, were reported to have entered the shop and threatened a staff member with a knife before stealing a quantity of cash from a till.

"No injuries were reported and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing."