A HUNT has been launched after a gang of armed robbers carried out a supermarket raid.

The group of men entered the rear yard at Sainsbury's in Lordshill, Southampton, at about 6.30pm on Monday.

The gang, who were dressed in black and carrying crowbars, forced their way into cigarette cages and stole cigarettes from inside.

They then fled the scene in a silver Volvo, which police believe they have found.

One shopper who wished not to be named said they heard people screaming and shouting “run for your lives”.

He added: “We were near the back of the store and all of a sudden we heard a commotion.

“We could hear someone shouting for security.”

He said the security guards went to the back of the shop and a few moments later people started running towards the doors.

“Someone said ‘Get your children and run.

“We all went into the car park.It happened so quickly I didn’t have time to think. I just listened to the staff. It was just the case of getting out of the shop as quickly as we could,” he said.

Another customer, who was in the store when the incident happened, said: “Everyone was screaming and running out of the shop.

“I was scared.”

The store was evacuated for about an hour after staff raised the alarm.

Detective Sergeant Jamie Wiseman said: "We would like to talk to anyone who has information about this targeted incident, or who saw the men or the vehicle in the area at this time.

"There is a dedicated team in place investigating this incident and we believe we have located the vehicle involved in the offence.

"Our enquiries are very much on-going at this time."

Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting reference number 44190095119.