Police are investigating two separate incidents where firearms were stolen in the past 24 hours.

Police were called to the Mitre 10 hardware store at Longford early this morning after management discovered the business had been burgled.  At least four rifles were stolen.

The thieves broke into the store by smashing a hole in the rear wall of the building.  No other property was stolen.

In another incident, the residents of a property at Poplar Parade, Youngtown, returned home yesterday afternoon to discover their shed had been broken into. 

The gun safe had been forced open and six rifles and a quantity of ammunition was stolen.

In both incidents the firearms had been stored correctly.

Anyone with information about the thefts, or anyone who saw anything suspicious near the Longford Mitre10 around 5am this morning, or in Poplar Parade, Youngtown, between 3pm 25 August and 3pm 26 August, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.