THIEVES stole £86,000 from a cash machine before fleeing across rooftops in a Southampton street, police say.

Two men were spotted running along the top of buildings on St Mary Street before getting into a red-coloured van near Golden Grove and driving away.

Offices believe the men stole the £86,000 from a cash machine in a Tesco store on the street and are appealing any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

An employee at the Tesco store, who did not want to be named, said: "They found it on Sunday afternoon but I don't know when it actually happened - we haven't been told a great deal.

"I had police officers here on Monday morning having a look around the store but that's all we know.

"We weren't even told how much had been taken."

Detective Constable Miles Wilson from the Western Investigation Team said: “This was a well planned burglary that would have required the offenders to enter the property on several occasions, using the rooftop as a point of entry.

“The men are thought to have made off carrying large bags, across rooftops, in the middle of Sunday afternoon in a busy residential area.

“We would like to speak to anyone with information regarding this incident and anyone who saw these men or a red coloured van on Golden Grove on Sunday afternoon.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 and quote reference number 44170181250 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.