Nursling Co-op store door broken down by 'intruders'

"Intruders" attempted to break into the Co-op store on Nursling Street in the early hours of Tuesday (May 21).

Police said only a can of Red Bull and an empty cash drawer were taken.

The food store chain said its security measures, including a smoke cloak, were deployed at around 3am and residents have told the Echo they heard glass shattering before an alarm sounded.

One added they heard a car speeding away from the scene soon after.

A spokesperson for Co-op said on Tuesday: "There was an incident at our Nursling Street store in the early hours of this morning.

Police tape was seen around the store (Image: NQ)"Intruders were disturbed by the store’s security devices, including a smoke cloak, and the store will remain temporarily closed while Police investigate and repairs to the frontage are carried out.”

A smoke cloak deploys a dense fog to obscure the vision of intruders, as well as covering the person with a spray containing a unique forensic signature.

This allows investigators to be able to link clothing and stolen goods back to the scene of a crime.

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The Co-op spokesperson also added that anyone with information should contact the police and that the store was planned to re-open on Wednesday.

Eyewitness said that police forensics teams had been seen at the store.

Many shoppers turned up outside the store and were shocked to see the shop doors laying on the ground, with smashed glass inside the store.

Mobile mechanic, Simon Martin, who lives in the area, said: "This is always where I stop and get my lunch.

"The staff are nice and friendly. Even had shutters and if that can't stop the criminals, then you wonder what can.

"Perhaps some concrete blocks outside the entrance but unfortunately whatever measures are putting in place these criminals seem to find ways around them.

Smashed glass could be seen on the shop floor (Image: Submitted)"Even some of the cheese has got security tags on to stop them being stolen. The good thing is, I'm glad no one was hurt in this incident."

An unnamed resident who lives very close to the store said: "Around 3 am we woke up and heard a load of glass shatter just before a loud alarm sounded.

"We quickly jumped up and looked outside. By the time my partner got outside, he saw a car speed off in the distance but couldn’t make out what sort of car it was."

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "We can confirm that we received a report of an alarm activation at Co-op, Nursling Street at approximately 3.30am today (Tuesday 21 May).

“Upon police attendance, a burglary was confirmed, with a vehicle being used to force entry to the address. An investigation is underway and enquiries are ongoing.

“If you were in the area at the time of the incident and witnessed anything, please call 101 and quote incident number 44240212299.

“We’d also like to hear from anyone who has any footage of the incident, including CCTV, dash cam, doorbell camera or mobile phone.”