RAIDERS broke into a Co-op to steal cigarettes.

The Cooperative food store, at Lymington Road, Highcliffe was targeted by thieves at around 1am this morning.

Officers were called to the scene after an alarm was heard sounding.

“It was discovered that entry had been forced into the premises and a quantity of cigarettes had been taken,” a spokesman said.

A search was carried out of the area, with support from the NPAS helicopter crew, but no one was found.

A Co-op spokesperson said: “We can confirm that an incident took place at Co-op’s Highcliffe store on Lymington Road at around 1.00am on this morning.

"No colleagues were present at this time and the store is open for business as normal. The matter is in the hands of the police and we would appeal for anyone with information to come forward.”