Raiders stage double smash and grab on York jewellers

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One of the raiders in Link, Stonegate Click to see a bigger image

Detectives in York have issued CCTV after burglars twice targeted Links of London jewellery store on Stonegate.

At around 3.18am on Thursday (January 29), two offenders threw a metal drain cover through the glass front door. They then jumped through the door and both used hammers to smash glass cabinets, stealing £10,000 worth of watches, bracelets and necklaces.

They arrived at the store on cycles from the Queen’s Path next to York Minster, and left after three minutes using the same route.

In the second burglary, the alarm was activated at 2.47am on Saturday (January 31).

CCTV of the second offence shows the suspects arriving on bikes from High Petergate and escaping via the Minster on their bikes.

This time the suspects threw a metal grate at the door then used the same grate to smash glass display cubes. They stole £16,000 of watches of stock.

All the stolen watches have serial numbers.

From the CCTV, one of the cycles appears to be a mountain bike. The second appears to have a BMX type frame.

The shop was forced to close for several days and the cost of the repairs is also looking to be in the region of £5,000.

Police are appealing to any members of the public who can help identify the men shown in the CCTV to contact them, along with anyone who may have been in the area at the time and saw men on bikes riding through York.

Anyone who is offered Links of London jewellery for sale is also urged to contact the police straight away.