THIEVES have broken into a Hampshire store, stealing £50,000 worth of items in less than five minutes.

Three people forced entry to American Golf in Chandler’s Ford, and fled after four minutes with three wheelie bins full of items including golf clubs and 100 pieces of clothing worth thousands.

The incident happened on Friday night.

Store manager Jamie Kinvig said: “They broke in at 9.46pm and left at 9.50pm. As soon as they came in they went straight to the most expensive sector of the store. They were lumping clubs and clubs into the bins and then left. Two of them came back and grabbed a number of clothing and then left.”

Mr Kinvig said that 350 woods and six sets of irons were among the items stolen.

“It was very targeted. They must have been to the store before otherwise they wouldn’t have known where to go. They have been too accurate. I was shocked at the time it took,” he added.

One of the wheelie bins used by the thieves was left empty outside the store, which remained closed on Saturday morning.

Mr Kinvig said that officers arrived to the scene a few minutes after the incident. “It hurts, we do a lot of hours, we are open seven days a week and for someone to come and do what they have done in five minutes doesn’t feel great,”Mr Kinvig said.

He added: “But there are people who don’t care and for the company £50,000 is a lot of money. It also doesn’t make it feel safe for the community. It didn’t happened too late either.”

Hampshire Police have now launched an investigation.

PC Jason Gore said: “I am appealing for anyone with has any information about this incident to come forward and speak to us.  Were you in the area at the time of the incident? 

"Did you see anyone in the area at the time of the incident? I would also like to speak to anyone who may have been offered any golf equipment or clothing for sale, which you suspect may have been stolen.”

Witnesses are urged to call 101 and quote 44180175299.