A BUSINESSMAN is pleading for help in finding the thieves who stole thousands of pounds worth of kit from his store.

Police are asking for any information that may help catch the criminals who raided Holeshot Motocross, Romsey.

Using five three-metre long scaffolding poles and railway track removal equipment they tore open the shop’s roller shutter door, setting off alarms, and made off with motocross bikes and equipment before police arrived at the scene at 3.15am on Thursday.

Owner Liam John rushed to the shop on Romsey Industrial Estate to find stock and pieces of scaffolding scattered across the floor.

The motocross enthusiast started his business four years ago and moved to the industrial estate at the end of 2013 as his company grew.

He said: “It’s a big setback.

“With the amount of theft going on with motocross bikes at the moment we knew it was only a matter of time before it would happen.”

The shop has been closed since the incident but Liam plans to reopen again as normal at 9am on Monday.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information should call them on 101 quoting crime reference number 44140142563 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.