POLICE are on the hunt for a group of men after a shop and petrol station were raided, using a sledgehammer and crowbars for entry.

A stolen car was used to transport the group between the two locations, where cash and cigarettes were stolen.

The first burglary was around 3.40am on December 31, New Year's Eve.

Read more: Window smashed and cash and cigarettes stolen in overnight burglary

Four men used a sledgehammer to break into the Co-Op store along The Borough, Downton, before stealing tills and cigarettes and making off in a black Audi Q7.

The car had been stolen earlier.

Salisbury Journal:

The same group, donning balaclavas and face coverings, then targeted the BP Service Station at Landford at around 4.20am.

Crowbars were used to prise open the door before stealing cigarettes, a till and other items from the premises.

The suspects are all described as having a stocky build and wearing dark clothing.

Salisbury Journal:

The above CCTV footage has been released in a plea to the public to help in identifying and finding those responsible.

DC Ben Brewster said: “We would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incidents or who may have recorded dash cam footage of a black Audi Q7 around the times of the burglaries.

"The roads would have been relatively quiet at that time so it’s likely that this distinctive vehicle may have caught your attention. Please contact us if you can help.”

Anyone with information about either of these incidents can call police on 101 quoting log 54210126738.

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