Jewellery shop raid victim relives ordeal
A jewellery shop worker has spoken of the terrifying moment when masked robbers threatened her with a hammer in a raid in Beccles.Three men dressed in black clothing, including black hooded tops and balaclavas, went into Copperfield Jewellers on New Market yesterday armed with a hammer.
A jewellery shop worker has spoken of the terrifying moment when masked robbers threatened her with a hammer in a raid in Beccles.
Three men dressed in black clothing, including black hooded tops and balaclavas, went into Copperfield Jewellers on New Market yesterday armed with a hammer.
A 46-year-old woman, who was working at the town centre shop at the time, was punched in the face in the raid that took place at around 4.30pm, before the robbers escaped. She suffered minor facial injuries which were treated by paramedics at the scene.
A silver vehicle was seen leaving the area of the White Horse pub, located just around the corner from the shop, and heading towards Gillingham at speed.
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The woman recalled being punched in the face, saying: “The hammer smashed all the glass. At least it wasn't the hammer that hit me in the face.”
She said people in the town had given her a lot of support, adding: “Everybody was really helpful so that's nice to know. I've had flowers this morning so all I can say is a big thank-you to everybody who helped, especially the two poor ladies who were in here.”
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She said violent crime was a rare occurrence in the quiet market town of Beccles, adding: “It's just unfortunate there are scumbags about wherever.
“Let's hope the police manage to get them. They were here monto-pronto.”
The Norfolk police helicopter was deployed and a crew from Bungay fire station was called out to a vehicle on fire on Church Road in Gillingham, thought to be connected to the raid, at about 4.45 pm on the day of the robbery.
A Suffolk police spokesman said that two women customers were in the shop at the time of the raid and that one was left with a bruised hand in the incident. The small shop, located in the heart of the town opposite Greggs bakery, buys and sells jewellery and does repairs.
She said: “At this stage it is thought that only a small amount of jewellery, if any, was stolen.”
Shoppers in the town centre yesterday could see staff clearing up broken glass from the shop window display cabinet and a handwritten sign on the door saying the shop would re-open on Monday.
The police spokesman appealed for information, adding: “We are keen to hear from anybody who saw then in the area at the time, but also from anyone who was walking or driving in the Gillingham end where it is thought another vehicle would have been left.”
Anyone with any information in relation to the incident should call Lowestoft CID on 01986 835300 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
