POLICE believe two vans and a car are key to tracking down a gang which carried out a ramraid on a Southampton newsagent.

A blue Ford Escort van was used as a getaway vehicle after the raid at Martin’s in Lordshill.

The gang stole up to £3,000 worth of cigarettes when they reversed a green Rover Metro into the shutters of the store.

After abandoning the Metro at the scene they drove off in the blue van before dumping it in Bindon Close, Shirley Warren, in the early hours of Friday morning.

They are then thought to have left Bindon Close in a white Ford Escort, which was found later in Coxford Close.

Officers are investigating whether the incident is linked to a ramraid at West End Service Station in October.

Detectives want to hear from anyone who saw any of the three vehicles on Thursday night or at any time after or saw the men getting out of them. Call Shirley CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.