Two men have broken into a newsagents stealing cigarettes before fleeing in a car.

Police believe the break-in happened at the shop premises in Church Street, Eye, at about 4.10am on Monday.

A police spokeswoman said: “Two men have used what is believed to be a sledgehammer to gain entry to the premises. Cigarettes were stolen from within and the men left, driving away in a silver coloured Volvo.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are linking this crime to a theft from a shop in Halesworth also on Monday.

Eight bronze sculptures were stolen from a premises in Halesworth Market Place between 2.40am and 2.50am.

The spokeswoman said: “Homeowners in the area were awoken by banging noises and looked out to see a vehicle leaving in the Metfield direction. The premises had been broken into and the sculptures and a grey and blue cash tin stolen.”

The bronzes include a large hare, a springer spaniel with a duck, a robin in flight, a dog chewing a shoe, rutting stags and a running lurcher dog.

An old-style Volvo estate was seen leaving the area.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the early hours or anyone with information about where the sculptures are now or who took them, should call Pc 1638 Barber at Suffolk Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously if required, on 0800 555 111.