Armed Robbery at Rownhams Services: Police Appeal for Witnesses

Police are appealing for information after thousands of pounds in cash were stolen during an armed robbery at the eastbound Rownhams Services, just off the M27.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday 15 December, at around 2.50am, when four men entered the service station. According to Hampshire Police, the suspects threatened three members of staff with crowbars and sledgehammers and forced them to wait inside the men’s toilets.

The offenders then used a crowbar, an angle grinder, and a chainsaw to break into two ATMs and a till. One ATM was sprayed with a fire extinguisher, and a CCTV camera was smashed with a crowbar before the suspects made off at 3.15am with a substantial amount of cash.

Detective Constable Bea Straker said:

“Four men, all wearing face coverings and dark clothing, are believed to have carried out this robbery. As part of our enquiries we are reviewing CCTV, speaking to witnesses and a full forensic examination of the scene was carried out yesterday.

“We are appealing for anyone else with knowledge of the incident to come forward. We know there were people nearby at the petrol station and the HGV car park, and there may have even been people in the dog‑walking area, around the time it happened. If you were there and saw or heard anything, we need to hear from you. If anyone parked in the car park has any Dashcam footage from their vehicles from around 2.30am to 3.30am on Monday 15 December, please contact us.

“This was a frightening ordeal for the staff involved, and any information that helps us identify and bring these offenders to justice is vital.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Hampshire Police online or by calling 101, quoting reference 44250563275.