Staines antique store targeted in third town centre smash and grab in three months

Only small items of silver jewellery were taken as well as an 18 inch model car made of Meccano, but at the time of going to press owner Keith Dunster was still weighing the cost of the damage.

Keith, whose store has only been burgled once in 34 years, said: "It is very annoying, and it was a nuisance of getting up early. They smashed the door, and a few glass cabinets containing the jewellery, but because the glass fell on the items they didn't get much.

"I think they were scared by the alarm as well, and the fact that quite a few people locally saw them. That's life I suppose."

Eyewitnesses first saw a silver Audi Quattro pull up outside of the store, after which three of the suspects got out and broke the door open.

After about a minute and a half in the shop, they got back in, and were last seen driving down Laleham Road towards Shepperton.

Surrey Police's helicopter was launched to try and find them, but to no avail.

Jensen Nightingale, landlord of the Hobgoblin pub opposite, said: "A couple of regulars saw what was happening when they came out of Tops Pizza.

"Afterwards I went back and looked at my CCTV, and saw that the whole thing literally took a minute and a half. It happened so quickly.

"These kind of incidents seem to be on the increase. I guess if people don't have money they take what they want."

The smash and grab follows an incident on October 12 when four men carried out a daylight robbery in Two Rivers' Carphone Warehouse, and an incident on August's Bank Holiday Monday when moped riders smashed the window of Swag in the High Street, and got away with £50,000 worth of jewellery.

The three incidents are not believed to be linked.

The police have carried out forensics, and are currently reviewing CCTV footage.

Detective constable Anne Simpson, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a well planned offence, and it is vital that we trace the silver Audi vehicle used."

Anyone with information should call DC Simpson at Staines CID on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference SL/09/9792, or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.