STAFF at a Great Yarmouth jewellers attacked by robbers armed with sledgehammers have been praised for their quick-thinking action. Customers in Cox and Son Jewellers looked on in terror as two men in hoods and masks burst into the Northgate Street shop on Saturday afternoon, smashing glass cabinets.

STAFF at a Great Yarmouth jewellers attacked by robbers armed with sledgehammers have been praised for their quick-thinking action.

Customers in Cox and Son Jewellers looked on in terror as two men in hoods and masks burst into the Northgate Street shop on Saturday afternoon, smashing glass cabinets.

Thieves stole watches before being forced out of the shop by a member of staff who gave chase.

Owner Michael Cox commended his staff for their actions, saying they did exactly what they were supposed to

do.

“When the incident happened the staff on the shop floor triggered a number of alarm devices and withdrew to a safe area. There were a number of customers in the shop, including children, who were also led to safety.”

Mr Cox challenged the robbers and forced one to drop a sledgehammer. As the robbers fled Mr Cox gave chase and managed to smash a window of the getaway car with a chair.

Police were on the scene within minutes and the area was swooped on by officers and sniffer dogs hunting for clues. The police helicopter was also deployed.

The incident happened at about 3.20pm and the car, a red Rover 214, was found a short while later in nearby East Road, close to the cemetery grounds of St Nicholas' Church.

An eagle-eyed 47-year-old Yarmouth man raised the alarm to police. The man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he had been out walking his dog when he was approached by police who asked him if he had seen a red car acting suspiciously.

He said: “I continued with my walk through the cemetery and on to East Road. Parked in a garage way was a red car with two doors open. There was a sledgehammer on the back seat and the front nearside window had been smashed.”

Yesterday Mr Cox thanked a number of passers-by who had witnessed the robbery and had given information to police, including number plates.

He added his thanks to customers in the shop at the time of the robbery who had given statements to police.

After linking the incident to similar robberies in Essex and Hertfordshire police arrested a man from the Kent area on Monday in connection with the robbery.

On Wednesday the man was bailed by police pending further inquiries.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the vehicle in the Yarmouth area during that afternoon or saw the raiders after the vehicle was abandoned.

Call Det Sgt Graeme Talbot or Det Con Craig Lovatt at Yarmouth CID on 0845 456 4567, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.