Tunnelling burglars flee with gems haul
BURGLARS tunnelled their way into a jewellery shop before destroying glass cabinets with sledgehammers.
The gang built their own tunnel leading to a staircase into Rebecca’s Jewellers, on Lord Street, Southport, on Monday morning.
Police were dispatched to the scene when a security alarm was triggered at around 2.50am, but the shop’s owner believes the gang spent around two hours entering and ransacking the store. The owner, Mr Sprang, described the raid as “devastating”, saying the shop had been left in a “shocking state”, with glass cabinets smashed to pieces and a metal cage also unable to stop the burglars.
The exact value of the stolen goods is not yet known, although Mr Sprang described it as “signif-icant”.
He said: “They made a tunnel at the back of the shop and came in through the staircase. They took a huge metal door out and smashed the cabinets with sledgehammers.”
He added: “It’s unbelievable. The place was so smashed, the damage was unbelievable.
“It’s devastating.”
The family business, which has been in the town since 1974, has been targeted by robbers before, but not for more than a decade.
“We had an armed robbery 14 years ago but we’re a very, very attractive shop, so unfortunately we do attract a certain type of person.
“You couldn’t just turn up and do this with a tool kit, it’s taken a lot of planning.”
Police carried out forensic investigations after the raid, along with CCTV and witness inquiries at the scene. Det Insp Gary Stratton said: “This is early stages of our investigation and we will be reviewing all CCTV locally and speaking to business owners and anyone with information.
“If you were in the area and saw or heard anything, let us know.
“We are establishing exactly what was stolen but, in the meantime, I would ask if any individuals or businesses have been or are offered jewellery or watches in Southport or the surrounding areas in the coming days and have any suspicions as to their origin, do the right thing and get in contact.
“This would be distressing and inconvenient experience for any business and we will act on all information to find those responsible and bring them to justice.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside police via social media, to speak to local officers, or to call 101 with reference 19100034532.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form.