Kent Police is linking a series of burglaries at pubs and social clubs in the Dover area in which gaming machines have been targeted.

The first incident took place at a pub in Canterbury Road, Lydden, some time between 4.30pm on 19 December 2011 and 8.30am the following day. Intruders damaged a fruit machine but nothing was stolen.

Ten days later, some time between 5.20pm on 29 December and 4.45am the following day, a social club in Maison Dieu, Dover, was burgled and offenders stole a small amount of cash from gaming machines.

A pub in London Road, Temple Ewell, was burgled some time between 5pm on 1 January 2012 and 10.15am the following day. Offenders stole cash from gaming machines and a cash box and several bottles of spirits.

On 4 January 2012 between 11.40pm and 11.50pm a social club in Willingdon Road, Whitfield, was broken into and cash was stolen from gaming machines.
 

Police were called to a social club in London Road, Dover, after someone broke in and caused £70 damage to gaming machines. The break-in happened just after 1.45am on 12 January 2012. Nothing was stolen.
 

Overnight on 12/13 January 2012 a pub in Wingham High Street was targeted and money was stolen from a fruit machine.

The latest break-in happened in the early hours of this morning, Thursday 19 January 2012, at a social club in Dover High Street. Three fruit machines were broken into and cash was taken.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Leigh Woolnough said detectives were linking the crimes and she urged people to remain vigilant.

She said: "Officers have been out speaking to owners of social clubs and pubs in the Dover area to make them aware of the burglaries and to offer crime prevention advice.

"Meanwhile we are urging members of the public to remain vigilant and phone the police if they see any suspicious activity outside business premises."

Anyone with information is asked to phone Kent Police on 101 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime number ZY/3548/11.

© Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2012