Update: Smash and grab raid in Bexley Village

4:41pm Thursday 28th August 2008

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THIEVES escaped with watches and other jewellery after a smash and grab raid in Bexley Village this morning.

Two men wearing crash helmets and white paper boiler suits pulled up on a yellow off-road motorbike outside Pilkington Jewellers at around 9.50am.

Eyewitnesses say that the bikers pulled at the shop window's metal grille and broke the glass before grabbing as many items as they could.

One of the suspects threatened a member of the public with a handgun when he approached them.

They then escaped on the bike towards Hurst Road.

Costcutter shop manager Gan Bala called the police as soon as he realised what was happening.

Mr Bala, 34, said: "The robbery took about six or seven minutes.

"I was frightened because of what was going on.

"It was a daylight robbery.

"I'm worried they might come back and do something to my shop.

"I was going to go out but was worried they might have a gun or something."

A Bexley Village resident, who did not want to be named, was walking along the High Street near the jewellers when the motorbike arrived outside the shop.

The retired man said: "They had full boiler suits and helmets on and you could not tell whether they were men or women.

"They stuck their hands in and started grabbing stuff.

"I was walking past and came into the hairdressers and said 'They're robbing the jewellers'.

"I was somewhat surprised."

No-one was injured during the incident.

The area around Pilkington Jewellers in the High Street was cordoned off this morning but has since been reopened.

Flying squad officers are investigating the incident.

Detective Constable Mark Cutler, from Tower Bridge Flying Squad, said: "I would like to appeal to anyone who was in the area this morning and has seen the incident itself or the offenders escape on their very distinctive bright yellow off-road motorcycle.

"Also we have already received reports that the bike has been seen in the area previously, and therefore anyone who has seen the bike or anyone acting suspicious over the last week-or-so to call.

"The watches taken are of high value and the offenders will be looking to sell them on. If anyone is offered expensive jewellery in suspicious circumstances should also call us."

Anyone with any information is asked to call the incident room on 020 7232 6530 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

• Did you see what happened? Call the newsroom on 01689 885723.