A TAXI firm has been forced to shut as a result of being subject to a break-in earlier this week.

Hedge End Cabs was broken into on Tuesday night alongside The Codfather and Hello Kitchen Chinese, which are all based along Botley Road.

Now, they have permanently closed due to “months of struggles”, along with the burglary forcing them to close due to safety of staff.

Although police said “nothing had been reported stolen”, the taxi company said thieves smashed their wall and doors, and stole around £500 in cash during the raid.

Since then, Hedge End Cabs has announced on social media: “With a heavy heart we have to let all of our customers know we have ceased service as of tonight (20/11/2019).

“After months of struggles and trying to keep the company afloat, this morning the director Jane came into work to find the office has been broken into, robbed and ransacked. It forced her hand, and broken her heart, but she has taken the tough decision to close the Hedge End office mainly due to safety of our staff."

They will now be partnering with taxi firm West Quay cars.

The post added: “The last thing she wanted was to let her customers - new and old - down and we're pleased to announce we've joined forces with our sister company West Quay Cars.

“They now have our phone numbers rerouted to their Southampton offices so please do not worry, you are covered. They are an amazing company and one of the biggest in Southampton so you will be looked after.”

Taxi driver at Hedge End Cabs, Amy Blake, said: “It's awful. Christmas is our busiest time. I decorate the car inside and out and hand out candy canes. Not only is it impacting families but the whole Christmas spirit. Luckily I have another job to go to but a lot of the drivers had this as their main job. It’s just horrible.”

Jane Miller, director of Hedge End Cabs, said: “We are at the point now where we feel like we can’t leave someone here. I can’t put people’s lives at risk.”