Smash and grab raid at Cirencester jewellers (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Smash and grab raid at Cirencester jewellers

FRIGHTENED shoppers scattered when masked thieves carried out a smash and grab raid on a Cirencester jewellers.

Police say two raiders hurled a hammer at the window of Goldsmiths in the Market Place, before jumping into a waiting car, containing another man, and fleeing the scene.

Items were taken from a window display and the getaway vehicle, a silver Subaru, was later found abandoned in Beeches Road.

One startled woman, who saw the incident, at around 12.45pm on Wednesday, said: "I saw this man get out of the car and he was shouting.

He turned around to another man and said 'which one?'. Then he slung the hammer."

Another witness added: "I thought he (one of the men) was a dustman at first. He had big gloves on. He looked like he had a gas mask on."

The attack was carried out during one of the busiest times of the day in the very heart of the town, although police say the trio were all wearing balaclavas.

Witnesses say the Subaru was double parked outside Goldsmiths immediately prior to the raid.

A large hammer lay in the middle of the pavement next to debris from the smashed window and officers immediately cordoned off the area as a crowd gathered.

It is uncertain at this time exactly what was taken, although it appears the crooks had deliberately targeted a display of watches.

Police spokesman Steve Partridge said it is believed the crooks jumped into a black BMW after abandoning the Subaru.