Cigarettes and tobacco worth more than £5000 have been stolen in raids by two men at a petrol station and convenience store.

The pair, dressed all in black wearing balaclavas and gloves, broke into a Co-operative Petrol Station in Lockerbie at 3.45am on Sunday.

The incident happened on Carlisle Road in the town and the men stole a haul of cigarettes which are estimated to be worth around £5000.

Then on Monday at around 3.15am, two men broke into Co-operative Food store on Holme Street in Moffatt and stole a quantity of tobacco products. The estimated worth still to be ascertained.

In both these instances, the men were dressed entirely in black and wearing balaclava and gloves.

Detective inspector Scott Young, Dumfries and Galloway Division CID, said: "Our inquiry is at an early stage in what we believe are linked incidents. Officers are analysing available CCTV and conducting local enquiries.

"We are confident that information we require to trace the persons responsible may rest with the local community.

"It is possible you heard a disturbance close to these locations, you may have witnessed people making off from these locations. It’s also possible that someone has attempted to sell you branded cigarettes at knock-off rates.

"The information you hold may not seem like much, however, as part of our broader inquiry it could make all the difference in tracking the people responsible."

Anyone with information can contact Dumfries CID via 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence