AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after two shops in Southampton were robbed in the same evening.

The incidents happened in Shirley and Freemantle on Sunday between 5pm and 9pm.

Hampshire police have confirmed that two men entered One Stop on Park Road at around 5pm and demanded money.

One of the men was said to have a gun but this has not been confirmed. Officers said it was unknown at this stage how much money was stolen.

Police are linking the incident to another robbery at the Co-op on Foundry Lane.

The incident happened at 8.44pm on the same day.

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said two men entered the shop and demanded money.

One of them threatened the staff and again was said to have had a gun.

The staff handed over £100 and the man left.

Officers said no arrests had yet been made.

Shirley residents have been told to be on alert and remain extra vigilant as similar incidents occurred in the area in the past few weeks.

Jason Foster is the manager at P&K Lacey Southampton Limited on Park Road. His business is only few metres away from One Stop and said it was closed when the incident happened on Sunday evening.

He added: “We are extra vigilant at the moment. Somebody tried to steal a motorbike belonging to one of our employees.

Anyone with information about the robberies is urged to call 101.