Vehicle wrecks front of Welcome store in Ashurst in second ram-raid in weeks

THE front of a New Forest store was obliterated by ram-raiders in the second such incident to hit the shop in weeks.

The break-in happened at the Welcome branch on Lyndhurst Road in Ashurst shortly after midnight today (Tuesday).

Police cordoned off the damaged shopfront, and the business was closed to customers this morning.

As reported in the A&T, it had only recently been hit by ram-raiders, on the night of Monday 19th August.

On that occasion, offenders escaped with a haul of cigarettes having damaged the shutters and front door.

Police investigating the latest incident are urging people to come forward if they were in the area at the time and saw anything.

A force spokesperson said: “Police were called to a report of a vehicle having forced entry to the Welcome store on Lyndhurst Road in Ashurst shortly after midnight.

“No items were reported stolen, but damage was caused to the shutters at the premises during the incident.

“Officers are investigating the report and enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Officers also want to hear from those who may have captured CCTV, dash cam or mobile phone video footage.

The A&T has contacted Welcome for comment.

Those with information should contact officers online at hampshire.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting reference 44240388076.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously at crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.