THREE more armed robberies have been carried out and two men have been arrested after a Hampshire crime spree continued last night.

Police revealed yesterday morning that a hunt had been launched for a group of "violent" men following eight robberies in ten days across Southampton and Eastleigh.

The men carried knives, hammers, poles or planks of wood, and threatened staff before stealing money.

The alarm was raised on Thursday and Hampshire Constabulary revealed this morning that robbers struck at three more shops.

Officers are continuing to investigate and want to speak to the men in these pictures.

Superintendent Alison Heydari said: “We recognise that robberies of this kind have a direct impact on businesses and their employees and we are working hard to locate these men and keep Southampton businesses safe.

“Detectives are continuing to make enquiries to identify these men and Southampton’s Neighbourhood Police Officers will be conducting extra patrols in the city.

“We would ask that if you see anyone acting suspiciously in or around your business to call us and report it.

“If you recognise these men and think you can help us identify them, please get in touch as soon as possible.”

At 4.55pm yesterday two men entered Bitter Virtue off licence on Cambridge Road, near the Avenue, armed with a wrench and a hammer.

They attacked a shop worker and stole the till before fleeing in a silver vehicle.

At 7.11pm it was reported that two men carrying hammers and a large stick walked into Threshers Wine Merchants on Thornhill Park Road and demanded the cash in the till before smashing a window and leaving with £300.

An hour and a half later, three men - one carrying a hammer - entered Thompsons Newsagents on Rownhams Road, attacked a member of staff, and left with cash from the till.

A 54-year-old man from Southampton and an 18-year-old from London were arrested at just before 3am this morning and are in police custody.

CCTV has also been released of a group of men on Portswood Road and Mayfield Road from Tuesday, and officers are appealing to the public for help in identifying the men in the images.

The robberies have taken place between November 20 and Thursday morning, where a 24-year-old customer was left in hospital after being assaulted at Rownhams Services petrol station, westbound on the M27.

The petrol station was closed but has since reopened.

Other businesses to have been targeted include 7Bone Burger on Portswood Road on November 28, Booze Shack on November 26 on St James Road and the Co-op in Boyatt Wood, Eastleigh, on November 28.

Detective Inspector Damon Kennard said: "We are working hard to try and identify these men and would like to ask the public to assist us.

"These men are threatening a high level of violence for just a few hundred pounds. We believe they are local to Southampton."

Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting 44170463734.