Witness appeal following robberies

Police are appealing for witnesses following two connected incidents of robbery and attempted robbery that occurred in the early morning of Wednesday, (1 March). The police believe the same suspect is responsible for both incidents, and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

At around 6.30am, a man entered Tesco Express in Thornhill Park Road and tried to gain access to the till area by breaking the plastic screen door. The store’s manager confronted the suspect, who threatened them with a large wrench before fleeing the scene on a black moped. The man is described as a white male, aged between 30 to 40 years old, standing at 6ft 2ins tall, with a slim build, and dressed in all black with a grey balaclava and carrying a black and blue backpack.

At 6.40am, the same man entered Co-op store in South East Road and stole the cash register before leaving on a black moped. The suspect’s description in this incident matches that of the earlier robbery attempt.

The police are asking anyone who witnessed either incident or have dashcam footage of a man on a black moped in the area at the time to come forward. Members of the public are also encouraged to be vigilant of any suspicious behaviour, particularly in convenience stores in the early mornings. The police have set up a mobile station in Warburton Road, Thornhill, and increased patrols in the area.

Inspector Stuart Baker from Southampton East Neighbourhoods Policing Team said, “We currently have a mobile police station in Warburton Road, Thornhill, and increased patrols in the area, so our officers will be engaging with the community, and any local residents with concerns about these incidents are more than welcome to approach us with them.”

Anyone with information or footage can contact the police at 101 or report online, quoting reference number 44230083226. The police are asking the public to assist in identifying the suspect, and urge anyone with information to come forward.