An opportunistic car thief has robbed popular folk band Larkspur of musical instruments worth £3,500.

Guitarist and vocalist Rachel Tate, who lives in Allington, parked her car in Friendly Street, Deptford, on Tuesday morning.

A witness reported seeing a man dressed in black smash the side window of her Mercedes Veto Van, which was made of privacy glass, before reaching in and opening the door at 12.20pm.

When Miss Tate returned to her car, which was parked close to her work place, at 3.30pm she found three guitars and a mandolin had been stolen.

She told KentOnline: “It’s devastating as a musician to lose all my instruments.

“I know they are material objects but it does feel like a part of you is missing.

“They are not incredibly old, but they are very valuable. I’ve had them for about five years.

“Sadly the car insurance can’t cover the loss but our friends have been really kind.

“We have been lent all of the instruments we need, as and when we need them.

“We will have to replace the stolen instruments with our own money and sadly we don’t have the funds to pay for the same kind of quality.”

Larkspur have been performing for three years and are in the process of recording their second album, which is currently untitled.

So far six of its 15 tracks have been recorded and the kind support of their friends means they can continue recording without interruption.

The band, which is also popular on the Medway and Thanet folk scene, also has seven gigs planned in those areas before the end of May.

One Breedlove guitar, two Tanglewood guitars and a Paul Hathway mandolin for stolen.

If anyone has any information relating to this incident contact the Metropolitan Police on 101.