POLICE are hunting raiders who used cutting gear in a bid to cut open a safe at a Hampshire post office.

The gang targeted Romsey's main post office during the early hours of yesterday but fled empty handed.

Detectives are now sifting through CCTV footage of the building in Church Street in a bid to track down the gang who are believed to have smashed in a door to get in.

Officers says the burglars may have fled in a dark coloured car which was seen in the Church Street area at the time.

The Post Office remained closed this morning and into this afternoon and the crime scene has been cordoned off.

The gang tried but failed to open a safe with the angle grinder which is believed to have been stolen from a nearby roadworks site.

It is understood that an attempt was also made to get into Romsey Royal Mail office at the back of the Post Office in Church Street - where major roadworks are currently being carried out and the road has restricted access.

A Hampshire Police spokesperson said: "An attempt was made to get in through a window at the rear of the building but this failed. But they managed to get inside the Post Office and carried out an untidy search of the premises."

He confirmed that the police were first alerted when a burglar alarm went off at just after midnight.

Officers attended but nothing suspicious was seen or heard.

He added that the alarm sounded again at about 3.30am yesterday morning and when officers arrived they discovered the break-in.

A Post Office spokesperson confirmed there had been a burglary.

"Post Office can confirm there was an attempted burglary at Romsey Post Office today. The people who work in our Post Office branches provide important services to local communities and their safety is our primary concern.

"We would like to reassure customers that we are trying to find a way to restore services to the area very soon and we will be supporting the Police in their efforts to apprehend those responsible. Post Office would urge anyone with information to contact the police on 101or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

Hedge End-based PC Christopher Clayton is handling calls from the public who have information about the burglary.