Armed Robbery At Convenience Store

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after an armed robbery at a shop in Southampton.

Three men with covered faces and heads burst into 'News, Food and Wine' in Spring Road, Sholing, at about 5.25pm yesterday, Thursday, June 30, armed with what’s believed to be a rifle.

One of them pointed the weapon at the shop assistant and told him to fill some bags with cigarettes and cash.

Worried for his safety the man did as he was asked and the trio then ran out of the shop with the bags which contained about 30 packets of cigarettes and around two hundred pounds in cash. They made off down Magnolia Road.

Police were called and a search of the area involving the police helicopter, armed officers and police dogs was carried out but the men were not found.

However officers are following up on several sightings of them by people and are following up several other leads.

House to house enquiries have been carried out in the area and officers are also appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the men in the area before or after the incident.

They would also like to hear from anyone else with information about the crime.

The robbers are described as all being aged around their early 20s and white.

The first man was wearing a red woolly hat, a blue scarf across his mouth and nose area, a black jumper with a yellow top underneath, black tracksuit bottoms and white trainers. He is around 5ft 5 inches tall and slim. He also had freckles on the parts of his face that could be seen.

The second man, who was carrying the weapon, was wearing a grey hooded jumper pulled over his head. A dark coloured scarf covering his mouth and nose area, dark jeans and trainers. He is about 5ft 9 inches tall and slim.

The third man was wearing a black hooded jumper with the hood up. It has the words ‘US’ on the front of the jumper in a light colour, denim jeans and trainers. He was about 5ft 9 inches tall and slim..

Anyone who knows who the men are or who thinks they may have seen them yesterday around the time of the robbery is asked to call Bitterne CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.