Co-op store in Hampshire taped off by police after incident - updates

Three Co-op stores were targeted in a series of shoplifting incidents and a burglary, police have now confirmed.

The incidents occurred on Weston Lane, Tickleford Drive, and Falkland Court, Chandler's Ford, with thieves stealing cigarettes, tobacco, alcohol, and cash.

The store in Weston Lane was targeted at 10.30pm on Saturday, the one in Tickleford Drive at 3.35am today - and the one in Falkland Court at 2am.

No injuries were reported.

Police are investigating and linking the incidents.

Anyone with information is urged to contact 101.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said: “I don’t know why the Co-op shops keep being broken into. I’m glad both shops (in Weston) are open though."

One man who lives nearby said the Weston Lane Co-op was “busier today” because of the Tickleford Drive Co-op incident.

He said: “More people have been coming here, I don’t think they know the other one has reopened.”

One woman near the Weston store, who lives in the area and wished to remain unnamed, said: “I don’t know what happened. All I heard was that the shop was closed, but it seems as though it was broken into. Hopefully no one was injured.”

Another woman added: “I don’t know why people target these shops, it’s ridiculous really.”

It's understood police were recently at Co-op in Tickleford Drive, Weston. The store is open today.

Shoppers are frequently arriving at the court, getting out their car, seeing the police tape and then leaving.

Co-op, Falkland Court (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Residents report that they didn't hear an alarm this time, contrary to an earlier break in on February 27.

Another person said: "I came here and there were police cars there and you think 'what a surprise'. Nobody knows anything."

One resident said: "The police where guarding it all morning. Apparently it's completely trashed inside. This is the second time in ten days."

Co-op store taped off in Chandler's Ford (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Police forensics were at the store earlier today, we understand.

Police are at Co-op in Chandler's Ford with the store taped off