By William Rimell and Aaron Shaw

RAIDERS have smashed into two Co-op shops in Hampshire during overnight burglaries.

The Co-op, on The Hundred, Romsey had its front door smashed yesterday.

It is not yet known what has been stolen, but police are currently on the scene.

Officers are also at the scene of a break-in at the Co-op in West End Road, Bitterne, Southampton.

A note outside the Romsey store said: “Due to a break-in the shop is currently closed and is likely to be closed for the early part of the morning.

“We will get the shop open as soon as possible.”

Stuart Lister, store manager at the Bitterne Co-op, said: "We were broken into last night and we're hoping to be open in a few hours.

"As long as we're safe then we'll be open as soon as possible. We're waiting on one thing to be fixed before we're safe inside."

A spokesperson for the Co-op, said: “An incident occurred in the early hours of this morning when intruders entered our West End Road, Bitterne, store.

"We appeal for anyone with information to come forward to the Police, who are investigating.

"And, we apologise to the community for any inconvenience caused while the store closed temporarily.”

The Bitterne shop was opened last night.

It is the second time in less than a week that a Romsey shop has been targeted by thieves.

Last Thursday McColls had to turn away customers following the latest incident at the store.

A police spokesperson said offenders gained entry to the Co-op store via the front entrance just after 12.10am.

The spokesman said: "We were called just after 4am today to a report of a burglary at the Co-op store in The Hundred, Romsey.

"Entry was gained through the front door. It is not clear at this stage what has been stolen."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting 44170096716.

Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.

A statement from the Southern Co-operative, which runs the Romsey store, says: "The Southern Co-operative said: “The incident at our store in Romsey is currently being investigated by the police, so we're unable to comment on the details of the break in at this time."