A Hampshire MP has praised police for their swift action following an armed robbery in their consistency.

Eastleigh MP Mims Davies commended the actions of police who were called to a Bishopstoke convenience store as a raider carried out an early morning knife-point robbery.

The raid left one female member of staff at the store traumatised.

It is the fourth armed raid on a store in the area in the past week.

In the latest robbery lone man wielding a knife demanded tobacco and cash from the till.

It happened at The Central Convenience Store in Spring Lane, Bishopstoke, yesterday morning.

Armed police officers and dog units swooped on the are and launched a hunt for the knifeman, who fled empty handed.

A spokesperson for the shop said: “It is obviously very difficult for the staff, but fortunately no-one was injured or anything.”

The female member of staff who was serving at the time of the attack was sent home, however the shop remained open afterwards.

One resident, who was returning home with his wife at the time of the police operation said that he saw the police cars

He said: “It is not the first time this has happened and it won’t be the last.”

Shortly after the incident police said they arrested a man in Byron Road, Eastleigh, about a mile from the scene of the raid.

One resident said she saw five police in two cars take a man away from the flats on the road at about 10.30am.

Last night a man was helping police with their inquiries.

Eastleigh MP Mims Davies said: “These kinds of incidents are very rare in my constituency but very concerning when they do happen and my thoughts go out to the people affected at the store.

“It’s good to see the police do the right thing, and able to work so swiftly.”

The robbery in Bishopstoke is the fourth armed raid on a convenience store in the Southampton and Eastleigh area in under a week.

It follows armed attacks on stores in Shirley and Freemantle within hours of each other on February 18 where two men are believed to have demanded money while armed with a gun.

Three days later, on February 21, a two female employees at a Co-Op in Nursling were confronted by a group of masked men when they were opening up.

The raiders entered the store and threatened staff with crowbars.

They escaped with £5,000 cash and £12,000 worth of cigarettes.

All three raids are under investigation.

Anyone with information on the Bishopstoke incident is asked to contact 101.