SIX shotguns were stolen from a Southampton home.

And police have raised that the deadly weapons could be used in more serious crimes.

The guns were stolen during a burglary at a house in Mousehole Lane, Midanbury, on Friday, February 23.

The burglars struck between 8.30pm and 2pm, breaking the guns out of locked cabinets.

A number of imitation firearms, some ammunition, a quantity of cash and other items were stolen from the house.

Detective Inspector Pete Boakes said: "It's likely this was a targeted burglary which resulted in firearms being stolen.

"Our priority is to locate these weapons so they can't be used in criminal activities.

"A number of officers are working on the case to try identify the offenders and recover the guns as soon as possible.

"We would urge anyone who has information about the burglars, any suspicious vehicles seen near the address, or the whereabouts of any of the guns or other items stolen to call us."

Police have provided a list of the guns stolen in the burglary.

The shotguns taken were:

12 bore Baikal shotgun single shot, serial no 34379

12 bore Maroccini over under shotgun, serial no 58562

12 bore BSA single shot, serial no 43835 .

410 single barrel Spanish nvn, serial no 83233

20 gauge single barrel Harrington and Richardson, serial no au502337

12 gauge over and under shotgun baikal mark 27, serial no 8806280

The imitation firearms are:

Replica Berretta handgun

Replica Thompson 45 sub machine gun

An HW 100 Weihrauch gas air rifle was also taken along with a replica 9mm Browning handgun 66 BB gun.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, or 999 in the case of an emergency.

Alternately, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.