POLICE have said they are keeping an open mind about potential links to a series of ram raids in and around Southampton.

This comes after multiple incidents involving serious raids to convenience stores took place in the last four months, with two of them involving severe damage to cash machines.

Earlier this week, a stolen Land Rover was used to ram into a cash machine at a Tesco Express store in Bishopstoke, with thieves leaving empty-handed after trying to set the ATM alight with chemicals.

Police said that no arrests have been made but are appealing for information in relation to the incident, which took place in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Eastleigh MP Mims Davies said she was "appalled" and described the incident as "concerning".

Another ram raid involved a cash machine next to a Best One Store being blown up on Wednesday August 14, which resulted in money being stolen by raiders from the free-standing ATM.

And these aren't the only raids that have caused severe damage in the Southampton area.

Thieves also drove a car through the front of Co-op stores on Spring Road in Sholing and Station Road in Netley Abbey, causing the stores to close while damage was assessed.

These incidents both took place during the early hours of June 19 but it is unknown whether they are linked.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: "We’re keeping an open mind about any potential links.

"Anyone with information relating to this incident [at Bishopstoke Road] is asked to call us on 101 quoting 44190323316."