POLICE have identified a man they want to quiz after a cigarette raid at a Hampshire convenience store.

Officers have taken the unusual step of releasing a picture and details of wanted man Stephen Weir who they say they want to talk to about the break-in.

It is thought 23-year-old Weir is in the Southampton area – and now they want the public’s help in tracing him.

The raid took place around 4am on October 3 last year and saw three men break into the Co-op supermarket in the Locks Heath Centre.

Sergeant Al Dineley from Southampton’s intelligence unit, said: “We believe Stephen Weir has information about this offence and want to speak to him as a matter of urgency.

“We are carrying out extensive inquiries to locate him, but we believe the public’s help could be invaluable and would appeal to people to look at Stephen Weir’s picture and tell us if they have seen him.”

Sgt Dineley added: “I would also like to directly appeal to Stephen or any of his associates who know of his whereabouts to contact us; it is in his best interests to talk to us sooner rather than later.”

The raid is one of dozens that have taken place across Hampshire during the past two years.

Jailed In May this year the Daily Echo reported how a gang of career criminals were jailed for ransacking stores and shops across the south, stealing more than £160,000 to fund their lifestyles.

They struck under the cover of darkness in the early hours, ripping out alarm systems, covering CCTV cameras and hiding their faces with balaclavas to try and evade capture.

Over six months the smash and grab raiders forced their way into 16 Co-op stores using heavy duty rubble bags to empty cigarette counters before bundling the haul into waiting cars and driving off to “safe houses” where they would temporarily store the goods before selling them on.

There have also been break-ins at stores in and around Southampton as well as further afield in the New Forest.

Weir is described as white, slim and around 5ft 10in with dark brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with any information about his whereabouts should contact police on 101 or call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.