Burglars broke into two convenience stores in Ashurst area and stole cigarettes on the night of Monday (19) in a series of back to back crimes which have left residents shaken.
Police are treating the incidents as linked and have launched an investigation.
According to local reports, a vehicle was used to break into the Co-op Welcome store in Ashurst, prior to another burglary at the Morrisons Daily in Longstock Crescent, Totton, in which a window was smashed. Broken glass was visible inside the Morrisons store the next day.
The burglaries took place just four minutes apart just before 11pm on Monday (19), according to police records.
Repairs to the Co-op Ashurst store took place throughout most of Tuesday (20). Both stores remained closed. It is not the first time Morrisons in Totton has been targeted, with neighbours witnessing a previous break-in earlier this month.
Neighbours reported hearing "big crash" alarm going off around 11 pm on Monday. One of the local residents told Daily Echo that the incident is making her feel "quite unsafe".
Residents living close to the crime scenes have expressed gratitude for the active police presence, and hope the culprits are caught soon.
Police are urging anyone with information about the incidents to come forward. Officers are specifically looking for those with CCTV, doorbell, mobile phone or dash cam footage around the time of the incidents.
"We were called at 10.44pm yesterday (Monday 19 August) to a report of a burglary taking place at the Co-op Welcome store on Lyndhurst Road, Ashurst. It was reported that a vehicle had been used to force entry to the store, causing damage to the shutters and door in the process.
"Cigarettes were reportedly stolen from within. "We are currently investigating the incident and enquiries are ongoing in the local area.
"If you were in the area at the time and witnessed anything of the incident, or have any footage, including CCTV, doorbell camera, mobile phone or dash cam, please call 101 and quote incident number 44240356784."
Simon Hannah
