POLICE are hunting a thief who smashed his way into a Helensburgh shop this morning and stole cash, alcohol and cigarettes.

The thief broke the glass front door at Shopsmart, on West Princes Street, at around 5.30am on January 12 before entering the convenience store and making off with the goods and around £400 in cash.

Atiqur Rehman, shop owner, told the Advertiser he was shocked at the incident, adding that he had never experienced any trouble in the town before.

He said: "I got a call from the police and the alarm company around 5.50am and came straight down to find the window broken.

"I was shocked to get the call, I have been here for five or six years now and I have never had any problems.

"Helensburgh is a nice area and I've always felt safe so I didn't expect it."

The shop was closed for four hours this morning and reopened for business as usual at 11am.

Mr Rehman added: "I would like to thank he customers who have supported us over the years and also to apologise to them for the delay in opening this morning.

"The police were great, they had everything under control and the customers are always great, they were very understanding."

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: "A shop in West Princes Street was broken into around 5.30am this morning.

"Police responded and officers are looking into it."