Four thieves were caught on CCTV cameras breaking into a Romsey shop and stealing thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes.

Shiddarth and Neha Patel were left counting the cost of the damage after the gang used bolt cutters to break into the Viney Avenue store and steal tobacco.

Video footage shows how the gang took just ten minutes to get out of their car, break into the shop and bag the packs of cigarettes before leaving in a getaway car.

It is believed that the total value of the cigarettes could be anywhere between £5,000 to £6,000.

Shiddarth, 41, said it was like something “out of an action movie”.

He said: “They came with the proper tools. They picked the padlock and lock with a chain. It looks organised. They were all pretty-much well-prepared for what they were doing.

“They cut the padlock from both ends.

“The bolt cutter looks heavy duty, one with big handles. I had big padlocks on the shutters on the door, they’ve been cut off.

“They didn’t smash any glass. Instead they broke through a metal door.”

After getting into the store they broke through wooden panels hiding the cigarettes in a cabinet behind the shop counter and threw the panels to the floor.

They then proceeded to put the cigarettes into bags.

Moments after the thieves had left, Shiddarth, who had been alerted to a break-in by the security firm monitoring his shop arrived with the police.

He said: “I was shaking when I came in. My main concern is the way they broke in. Using bolt cutters like that made it look so easy. It looks so professional.”

Neha added: “It’s really awful. I’m angry and shocked. I’m still trying to come to terms with what’s happened.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Anyone with information is asked to call Hampshire police on 101.