Police are investigating a series of ram raids after three businesses in Kensington were targeted in the space of 20 minutes.

One business said mopeds carrying two people each drove through its window before stealing stock in the early hours of Saturday (May 20).

Scotland Yard say thieves "forced entry" into each of the businesses, stealing stock, cash and equipment.

The thieves first struck at a upmarket e-cigarette shop Vapourcore on Ladbroke Grove at 2.30am, before breaking into two businesses in nearby Abingdon Road, on the other side of Holland Park, at 2.45am and 2.50am.

Shop director Leon Hackett said: “We were ram-raided and they’ve taken what they can. They nicked a lot of stock and caused quite a lot of damage. We’re probably looking at £10,000 combined.”

The business, which is next to the 24-hour Ladbroke Grove police station, opened only in November, and was forced to close its doors to customers for most of the weekend.

Mr Hackett said: “It’s a nightmare for us. Its upsetting, we’re a new business trying to make a head way. This can ruin some businesses.

“And we’re next door to a 24 hour police station, that’s just unbelievable.

“I’ve been told that it was very quick. The raid was over in a couple of minutes.

“I’m shocked because we’re right at the top of Holland Park Avenue in quite an affluent area and it’s not a super busy high street.”

According to police, the robbers later hit a hair salon at 2.45am, taking cash and hair clippers. Police could not say how the thieves gained entry.

They then broke into an estate agent, stealing computer equipment. Police confirmed a moped was ridden into the door.

Detectives from Kensington and Chelsea CID are investigating, and are yet to make any arrests.

They confirmed that four suspects were riding on two mopeds.

Anyone with information that may assist police is asked to call Kensington and Chelsea CID via 101.

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