POLICE are hunting thieves who smashed their way into a Hampshire coffee shop, armed with a drain cover.

The duo sped up Southampton's High Street on a motorbike, wielding a heavy drain hole cover, before throwing it at the glass door of Mettricks Tea and Coffee House.

Residents nearby were woken by the loud noise of shattering glass and quickly went to their windows to see the two fleeing from the family-run business, leaving thousands of pounds worth of damage in their wake.

Fortunately little money is kept in the building, but the thieves managed to get away with a small safe containing around £100 in small change.

And before fleeing with the safe, the thieves left a trail of destruction behind them, smashing up cakes and stands, leaving the business with a repair bill rolling into the thousands.

Anyone with information about the theft, which happened just before midnight on Tuesday, should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.