POLICE have today launched an investigation after thieves raided a convenience store and made off with hundreds of pounds worth of cigarettes in the early hours.

Raiders broke into the Cooperative in Long Lane, Holbury, at 3.45am today.

Police say the thieves struck when the store was closed, throwing a concrete block through the window and seizing a large bag of cigarettes thought to be worth hundreds of pounds.

No other items were taken in the attack.

Two men – one in a white jacket and the other in a black coat – were seen running off from the scene.

A police spokesman said: “We are appealing for witnesses and for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time.”

The supermarket this afternoon remains open but police have taped off an area of the footpath by the smashed window.

Shards of broken glass are littering the footpath next to a grey and pink concrete block thought to have been hurled at it.

Window glazers are assessing the damage and officers are in the store speaking to managers and conducting enquiries.

The window was directly by the supermarket's cigarette counter which staff have now sealed off while they restock the shelves.

Daily Echo:

A nearby ice cream freezer was showered with glass while a bottle of Jagermeister was among items falling from a nearby shelf.

A 50-year-old shopper said: "It appears to be a sad individual who has brought the whole area down. This is normally a quiet area an it's a working village. I guess all they can do is put screens on the windows."

Anyone who witnessed the attack should contact police on 101 quoting the reference 44150364105.