A SHOP worker was attacked in a night-time raid at a Co-op store.

Workers at the Co-op were left “distressed” after the robbery, in which a staff member was hit on the head.

One of the robbers forced a staff member to open a safe, before stealing the cash inside.

The employee was attacked before the other two robbers stole a number of boxes from the cigarette counter.

The raid took place on the evening of September 29 after 9pm at the Co-Operative on Seymour Lane in North Baddesley.

Police are now appealing for members of the public to come forward with information.

All three offenders were wearing hoodies with hoods up, gloves and had their faces covered.

One was carrying a back pack and another was carrying a Hippo bag.

Hampshire police told the Daily Echo the two staff members attacked were not injured but were left extremely distressed.

Residents in the area told the Echo how two female staff members were threatened during the raid, which was closed throughout Sunday.

One man said: “My son works there and he found out about it from some of the other members of staff.

“It’s shocking to hear.”

Another resident said: “I came up to the shop on Sunday to get a paper and it was closed. That’s when I found out what happened.

“It’s shocking to hear as we don’t get a lot of crime around here.”

A spokesperson for Southern Co-Op, said: “Southern Co-op would like to thank Hampshire Constabulary and the wider community for their support during this difficult time.”

A resident who works close by and who did not want to be named said she was now worried about working alone.

She said: “I work in this shop on my own sometimes.

“This incident has made me nervous about being here alone.”

Another resident told the Echo the shop had been a crime target in the past.

She said: “Two years ago they were experiencing thefts at least twice a week.”

Detective Constable Gurjeet Kalirai said: “We are appealing for anyone with any information about this incident to come forward and speak to us.

“We have already spoken to a witness who saw three men getting into a car, possibly a dark-coloured Ford Focus, nearby around the time of the incident. If you think you can help, please call us on 101 quoting 44180367867.”