16/01/2013

£1m Worth Of Jewellery Stolen In Shop Raid

Jewellery valued at £1m has been stolen from a shop in Edinburgh during a raid in which glass display cabinets where smashed with an axe.

The robbery happened at about 17:15 on Tuesday at the Rox Jewellery store on George Street.

One of the men, who appeared to be carrying a hand gun, grabbed a shop assistant and forced her to open a window display.

Both men then put on helmets and made off with the jewellery on a motorbike.

The black Honda 650 motorbike was later found abandoned in Northumberland Street Lane North.

Police are now appealing for witnesses who were near the jewellers at the time of the robbery and motorists who may have seen the motorbike driving towards the New Town at about 17:30.

Det Ch Insp Bobby Deas, of Lothian and Borders Police, said high-visibility police patrols were now in the area.

He said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the shop staff to endure, although, thankfully, neither was injured as a result.

"An estimated £1m worth of jewellery was stolen during this incident and we are conducting various lines of enquiry to trace these items and identify those responsible for their theft.

"The motorcycle, which was used during the suspects' getaway, is believed to have made a lot of noise as it sped off and members of the public who were nearby would have heard it.

"We would now urge anyone who remembers seeing or hearing the bike, or who recognises the description of the riders to contact police immediately.

"Similarly, anyone with any other information that can assist with our enquiries is also asked to come forward."

(H)


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