Smash-and-grab thieves take cash and goods from village shop

CIGARETTES, alcohol and cash were stolen when thieves smashed their way into Bashley Village Stores in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A front window was broken to gain entry to the village convenience store in Bashley Road, near New Milton, sometime between 12.15am and 12.40am.

Once inside, the offenders snatched a large haul of tobacco goods valued at around £5,000, along with about half a dozen bottles of spirits estimated to be worth around £100.

They also forced open a door to the store's post office counter, in which the tills were locked overnight. They took around £300 in cash from these.

They had attempted to enter the post office cubicle via a glass partition but, despite causing extensive damage, were unable to smash through as the glass is laminated.

The store was open, with a wooden plasterboard covering the smashed front window, but the damaged post office counter was expected to remain closed to the public for at least a week after the raid.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hampshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.