A JEWELLER has had thousands of pounds of stock stolen in a raid on his Worcester shop.

Ian Quartermaine said he is unsure of the exact amount of jewellery taken but estimates it is tens of thousands of pounds.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the burglary, which happened between 8.30pm on Monday and 6am on Tuesday.

“I am really annoyed, someone needs hanging,” said Mr Quartermaine.

“They tried to smash through the door, but the door has armoured glass.

“They could not get through so broke a window and another pane and got into the shop for three or four minutes and snatched what they could. Jewellery is portable, you can get a lot into a bag.”

Mr Quartermaine added customers’ property was not affected as this was securely stored elsewhere in the shop. All the stock stolen from Ian Quartermaine Jewellers in Reindeer Court, Worcester, was insured, and it is not yet known what items were taken.

An investigation is also being carried out to ascertain why the alarm company failed to notify police when the burglary happened.

Police are investigating the incident and viewing CCTV footage of the area.

They would like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time.

Residents should also be alert to any jewellery offered to them under suspicious circumstances and make sure it is from a legitimate source.

If you have any information, contact Worcester police on 0300 3333000 quoting 50/s/111108.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.