An outraged high street shop owner says she is considering leaving town following a string of robberies – the latest of which saw a member of staff thrown against a wall.

Emma Pinfold, who owns fashion store Bond Street To Your Street in Tenterden, has spoken out after her shop manager was assaulted and around £3,000 in stock was taken.

Among the items stolen were a yellow pair of Christian Louboutin heeled shoes, a pair of Dior heeled shoes, and a Chanel bracelet.

It was the fifth time the store had been targeted – and the second time in just 10 days.

The fashion chain recently became the first independent company to open at the Ashford Designer Outlet, but Mrs Pinfold says that repeatedly being a victim of crime and a perceived lack of police action was forcing her to consider the future of the Tenterden branch.

"Sometimes you just think about giving up," she said.

"I've had to spend thousands of pounds on extra security, we've had to chain up all of our handbags and after this latest incident I've just had to install a £350 buzzer system to let people in and out.

"I don’t want to do that, I don’t want things chained up and I want it to be inviting for people wanting to enjoy Tenterden, but I'm not being left with any choice."

The latest incident happened at around 3.25pm on Saturday when a member of staff – already on high alert following a shoplifting incident on February 2 – became suspicious of two customers in the shop.

"My manager became suspicious of a man and a woman, who were reportedly a mum and son, and phoned down to her other staff member," explained Mrs Pinfold.

"The staff member had been taking a photo of a bag to post on social media so of course had taken it off the chain that protects it against shoplifting.

"She put it back to go and get the key to lock it up again, but when she came back mere seconds later it was gone."

The manager and staff member reportedly ran out of the store to confront the woman and managed to retrieve the stolen handbag, which was worth around £1,500.

It was then that the horrified manager remembered the man the woman had come in with was still in the shop.

"She came back in and heard him zipping up a bag," explained Mrs Pinfold.

"When she told him to open it, he refused, and then she tried to stop him leaving he grabbed her.

"He threw her against the wall, then grabbed her again and threw her against the banister before running out."

"I have spoken about this before but I am absolutely outraged"

Horrified staff called 999, however police did not attend.

When Mrs Pinfold – who was forced to deal with the situation while abroad on holiday – asked police why they had not responded to the emergency call, she said she was told it was "not high priority".

"I felt it was ridiculous. It involved an assault and the perpetrators were still in the area at the time – how can that not be high priority?" she said.

"I have spoken about this before but I am absolutely outraged and I have submitted an official complaint to Kent Police."

Mrs Pinfold had previously spoken out after two men were arrested after a break-in at the Tenterden branch in June.

Detective Inspector Simon Johnson, from Kent Police, said that the force was "committed to providing everyone with the best possible service".

"In order to achieve this end, our patrols need to prioritise their attendance to an incident based on the levels of threat, risk and harm presented," he added.

"Due to the suspects no longer being at the scene, and no serious injuries being sustained, a patrol was not dispatched on this occasion, however our call handler ensured the informant was provided with appropriate safety advice.

"The officer leading the investigation has since contacted the victim to explain how their report is being investigated. In addition, an investigating officer is also reviewing crucial evidence captured at the time of the offence."

Det Insp Johnson also emphasised that Tenterden was "safe" and that officers were conducting frequent patrols of the area.

"Tenterden remains a safe town that all residents and visitors can enjoy," he said.

"To ensure that remains the case our officers conduct frequent patrols of the area and when offences are committed they act quickly to pursue justice and protect victims.

"We will not tolerate offenders causing misery for innocent victims, including retail staff. Every reasonable line of enquiry will be fully pursued to identify, locate and apprehend the culprits for this shoplifting and assault report."

The male suspect is described as being white and around 6ft with brown hair which is shaved at the back. At the time he was wearing a black coat and grey trousers.

His female accomplice is described as being white, around 5ft 2ins and in her mid-60s with black hair that was in a ponytail. She was dressed in dark clothing.

Officers are keen to speak with anyone who witnessed the incident or the suspects as they left the area. They are also keen to hear from anyone who may have been offered the stolen goods for sale.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/29029/22.

You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or complete an online form by clicking here.