CIGARETTES have been stolen after a group of hammer-wielding thugs stormed a petrol station.

Police received reports of the robbery at the Esso garage on Ringwood Road, Totton in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The group of men entered the store with a hammer and proceeded to steal cigarettes and tobacco.

Descriptions of the offenders were passed on to police.

READ MORE: Three teenagers arrested after knifepoint robbery in Fawley

A short time later four people were stopped on Junction Road by officers.

Three were arrested on suspicion of robbery.

Two 16-year-old boys from Eastleigh and Fareham have since been released under investigation.

An 18-year-old man from Totton was released from custody. He also remains under investigation.

A police spokesperson said: “Since then, a number of enquiries have taken place.

“We also believe this incident may be linked to other burglaries in the town centre on the same night, and enquiries will continue with this.”

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