THREE men from Southampton have been arrested after a break-in at a jewellery store in Festival Place.

Officers were called at around 10.30pm last night with reports that a number of people were in the store, after sledgehammers and a battering ram were used to force entry.

On Tuesday morning, the glass remained shattered with a bicycle, two sledgehammers, a battering ram and watches strewn across the front of the store.

Police have confirmed that three men, aged 23, 28 and 37, from Southampton were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

The store remains closed today (Tuesday), with police on scene.

A spokesperson for Beaverbrooks said: “We are doing everything we can do assist the police in their investigation and to ensure our colleagues at the store are fully supported.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers and hope to reopen on Wednesday 26 February.”  

Festival Place refused to comment on the incident.

Beaverbrooks' Festival Place store has been targeted numerous times over the previous few years, including in June 2018, when 17 Breitling watches - to the value of around £60,000 - was taken from the store.

It comes after the store was also broken into in April 2016, when more jewellery was taken.