THREE masked men armed with planks of wood and a knife have raided a Southampton convenience store.

The men carried out the armed raid at Central Stores in Shirley in the early hours of Saturday (December 8).

Police say the masked men, two armed with planks of wood and one with a Stanley knife, threatened staff at the store in St James Road.

The suspects then stole cigarettes and alcohol during the two minute long raid, which took place around 6.15am.

Police have now released CCTV images of the men they would like to speak in connection with this incident.

 

They say men left in a white Ford Mondeo estate parked directly outside the shop.

The car drove up St James Road towards Janson Road.

The Mondeo is believed to have been stolen at 11.35pm on Friday (December 7) from nearby Darlington Gardens.

Two people entered a house through an unlocked rear door, taking the car keys and then the vehicle from the driveway.

Detective Constable Patrick Coughlin said: “I am appealing for anyone to come forward with dash cam footage of the suspects in the stolen vehicle prior to the robbery.

“If you were in the area and saw anything, please call 101 quoting 44180457529 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

If you have any information, please contact us on 101, quoting reference number 44180457529.