Stratford armed robbery - national appeal

Detectives investigating an armed robbery at a Stratford upon Avon jewellers will make a nationwide television appeal for information.

A reconstruction of the robbery at Howard's Jewellers in Wood Street will be featured on BBC Crimewatch this evening Wednesday 13 April 2005.

The incident happened a few minutes before 17 00 on Tuesday afternoon 25 January 2005.

One woman offender entered the shop and was followed inside by four men who burst in with faces covered by scarves or masks and armed with a machete and hammers.

One of the men smashed a display cabinet with a hammer and grabbed jewellery valued at around £200,000 including diamond bracelets and necklaces.

Two Stratford detectives who were driving in Wood Street at the time noticed something suspicious inside the shop and pulled over and went inside. One officer was hit over the head by one of the armed offenders.

All five offenders ran out of the shop into Wood Street, through Cooks Alley into Guild Street and Great William Street where it is believed they jumped into a Mercedes A Class car that was parked facing the wrong way in Great William Street. The car sped off and was found abandoned at the entrance to The Elms off Maidenhead Road, Stratford.

A machete and a hammer were recovered from inside. The car was later discovered to have been stolen from Erdington near Sutton Coldfield earlier in January.

Police believe the offenders then escaped in another dark coloured Mercedes CLK car that drove off in an unknown direction.

The shop staff: two women and one man were very shaken by the incident but not physically injured. The police officer who was assaulted was not injured.

The woman offender was white wearing smart dark clothing and a long black coat. One of the men was black, tall and large build wearing a black jacket and distinctive shiny blue training shoes. The other three men are believed to be white wearing jeans and training shoes.

Detective Inspector George Stepney, leading the investigation said:

"This was a violent and very frightening incident and I'm pleased no-one was seriously hurt.

"It is very important we arrest those responsible as soon as possible as they are clearly reckless and dangerous individuals who are prepared to threaten violence and use weapons."

Officers from Stratford CID are investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the dedicated hotline on 01926 415796 or CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111.