Burglars broke in to SOS Tools and Hardware at Bitterne Park Triangle at around 1.30am on Tuesday morning, making off with cash and sentimental items.
Owner Anil Sood, pictured below, said they came in through a glass door that had only been exposed when the counter had been moved to the back of the shop three weeks ago.
“Before, no one would have guessed there was a door there. I’d got everything else secured.”
He said he thought that because glass was now showing someone thought they’d take the chance to come through that way.
£180 was taken from the till as well as £400 that had apparently been put by to pay the rent, which was due the following day.
“I feel absolutely violated. Given the timing, we’re all struggling, and for someone to do something like this is pretty horrific. And I think as a community in Bitterne Park we all should all be aware that there are some selfish people out there.
“I’m dealing with it the best I can. I feel very horrible... that someone’s come behind my counter, they’ve taken some very personal stuff which my parents left me: it’s those kinds of things.”
Anil added that someone had made an unsuccessful attempt to break in to Piper’s Emporium secondhand shop with a crowbar on Monday.