Southampton: Tesco, Co-op and Laly's hit in robbery spate

This week, four stores in the Thornhill and Sholing area were hit by armed men looking to grab cash.

One shop owner has told of the moment his store was filled with smoke after men attempted to break open his till.

Residents have hit out at the level of crime with one woman saying "it keeps getting worse".

READ MORE: Police called to Co-op store following incident overnight

On Friday, two men burst into Laly's Food Market on Thornhill Park Road at around 7.40am and tried to open the till.

Laly's Food Market on Thornhill Park Road. (Image: Daily Echo, Emily Liddell)

Bindy Laly has been the owner of the shop since 1978.

He said this is the second time they have had any issues with crime.

"They came in at around 7.40am on Friday," he said.

"My staff member was here, one stood by the door and the other ran around the back to try and get into the till.

"My staff pressed the panic button and the whole shop filled with smoke.

"They left after that, they were gone in 20 seconds."

READ MORE: Police given 31-hour extension to question murder suspects

Police outside the Co-op in Hinkler Road, Southampton (Image: Daily Echo, Emily Liddell)

Minutes later, a man then ran into the Co-op on Hinkler Road at around 7.50am where he threatened staff with a screwdriver and stole money from the till.

The man has been described as aged in his 20s, around 5ft 6in tall, and of slim build.

He was wearing a snood over his face and a dark-coloured hooded jacket.

It is believed he fled the scene on a black moped.

A few days before, a man ripped a plastic screen door trying to get to the till area at the Tesco Express in Thornhill Park Road.

He threatened the store manager with a large wrench before fleeing on a black moped at around 6.30am on Wednesday.

CCTV footage of a man police want to speak to in connection with a robbery at Tesco on Thornhill Park Road. (Image: Daily Echo, Emily Liddell)

Just minutes later, a man of the same description stole a cash register from the Co-op in South East Road.

The man has been described as white, aged 30 to 40, 6ft 2ins tall, and of slim build.

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He was dressed all in black, wearing a grey balaclava and carrying a black and blue backpack.

Police believe the incidents in Thornhill Park Road and South East Road are linked, however, are yet to confirm if the other cases are part of the same investigation. 

Danni Ackley, who lives on Hinkler Road, said: "It just keeps getting worse, the crime is out of control. 

"It makes you wonder how long you want to live here for."

Another Thornhill resident, a 29-year-old woman who wished to remain unnamed, added: "It feels like there's police around here every day. 

"This last week has been so bad."

Anyone with information that can help police with their enquiries should call 101 quoting crime reference number 44230083226.