A convenience store in Hersham has become the latest victim in a spate of burglaries at businesses selling cigarettes and alcohol.

Three offences since the end of January have been linked and all the Elmbridge stores were broken into overnight and had cash and other items stolen.

Londis in Longmore Road was targeted between 10pm on Thursday, February 14, and 12.30am on Friday, February 15, when the offenders forced open a rear door before removing money from several tills.

The burglars also damaged a number of items in the store and stole a large quantity of cigarettes and several bottles of alcohol.

The burglary is being linked to a similar offence at Martins Newsagents, The Broadway, Thames Ditton, which took place between 5.45pm on Wednesday, February 13, and 5.40am on Thursday, February 14.

The burglars forced open a shutter at the front of the store before stealing a quantity of cigarettes and cash.

Another burglary took place at Londis in Hampton Court Parade, East Molesey between 10.30pm on Wednesday, January 23, and 7am on Thursday, January 24.

The offenders forced open a window and a back door before stealing several bottles of alcohol, cigarettes and cash.

Officers have carried out forensic examinations and house to house enquiries following all three incidents and are reviewing CCTV.

Detective Constable Carly Humphreys said: “The offenders would have made a lot of noise getting into the various stores so I feel sure that people living in the area or passing through would have seen or heard something out of the ordinary.

“For the most recent burglary a number of people reported hearing a vehicle driving from the area at speed at around the time of the offence so we believe there is a strong possibility that the offenders had some form of transport in the area.”

David Hollingsworth, Elmbridge neighbourhood commander, said: “Following the latest incident local officers have increased high visibility patrols in the relevant areas and will be working closely with convenience stores across the borough to offer advice and information to help prevent further incidents.”

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference EL/13/1007, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.