TWO police officers foiled a raid on a Hampshire newsagent early today.

Officers were patrolling the Cornmarket in Romsey when they spotted the break-in in progress at Martin's.

Two people fled on a motorbike and despite efforts to catch them, they escaped.

They were last seen heading towards Greatbridge Road in the town.

When officers carried out further investigations inside the shop they discovered a large quantity of cigarettes that the would-be thieves had bagged up ready to steal.

There were also other goods stacked in the green garden waste bag ready to remove from the shop.

Police believe the pair is responsible for a series of shop break-ins across Hampshire including raids on Co-op stores in the county over the last year.

The pavement outside Martin's was quickly cordoned off by the police and forensic officers are due to carry out checks shortly.

A Hampshire police spokesperson said: “The two offenders were sitting on a motorbike and they made off on it through the Market Place and on towards Greatbridge Road. Officers then lost sight of them.

"They forced the lower glass panel of the front door to get in and once inside swept up all the cigarettes and other items on display and they put them in a green garden waste bag.

"They primarily took cigarettes and appear to have left most if not all of them behind. We think this is part of a series of break-ins across Hampshire where two people on a motorbike have been involved.”

The spokesperson added that anyone with information about the break-in should contact Romsey police on 101. It happed at about 12.40am.

A spokesman for Martin's said: “We don't comment on these matters when the police are involved.