RAIDERS have grabbed a safe from a Chandler's Ford betting office on the night after the Grand National.

Coral the bookmakers are keeping tight-lipped about the hit on their branch at Oakmount Road near the Waitrose supermarket.

A spokesman did confirm that the betting shop's safe was stolen, together with a "small amount" of cash inside.

He added: "We are helping the police with their inquiries and are hopeful that an arrest will be forthcoming."

He said it was unlikely that payouts from the big race at Aintree on Saturday would have been affected.

It is understood that the telephone line and alarm to the betting office was cut in the raid which happened in the early hours of Sunday morning.

It was business as usual, although a locksmith was working at the premises yesterday. Two sets of raiders may have targeted the premises on the same night and although police were not discounting a link, they thought it was unlikely.

Police went to the betting shop at 1.07am after a witness reported that two youths were trying to break the windows.

A spokesman said: "We responded within 40 seconds and when we got there found that the windows had not been damaged and the premises were secure."

At 8.20am on Sunday morning, the shop's cleaner found the rear door was unlocked and the safe had been stolen.

Police believe that the safe raiders struck some time after the two youths - described as being aged 18 to 20, and wearing black hooded tops - attacked the premises.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Eastleigh police on 0845 045 4545.