POLICE are hunting a masked gang following a daring smash and grab raid at a Boscombe jewellery shop on Sunday night.

The raiders, wearing bala¬clavas, helped themselves to trays of gold chains and bracelets worth up to £20,000 after smash¬ing two display windows at Jemini Jewellers in the Sovereign Centre.

Yesterday the shop was closed while shocked staff at the family run business cleared up broken glass and waited for the new, reinforced windows to be fitted.

Alan Sergeant said: “We're not sure exactly what has been taken but it looks like a professional job.

“They left diamond rings and silver jewellery behind; taking heavy gold chains and gold bracelets.

“Gold is a very valuable commodity and it will all be melted down.

“We also carry out repairs and are pawnbrokers but fortunately all those items were locked in a safe.

“We've been told the gang drilled one of the centre's doors to gain entry.

“They struck at around 7.30pm and didn't even come into the shop, snatching about a dozen trays of jewellery from the window display.

“We believe they put them into bags before escaping down an alleyway at the side of our shop to a waiting car.

“I'm angry because we have worked really hard to establish this business but there are people out there who want something for nothing.”

Alan's son Marcus said: “A couple of months ago a gold diamond bracelet worth £3,000 was snatched while we were open but we've had nothing on this scale before.

“The front windows are made from very thick glass and we were surprised no blood was left at the scene; it would suggest that those responsible knew exactly what they were doing.

“Forensics experts have been here and we're hoping to re-open by the end of the week.”

His wife Shannon said: “It's coming up to our busiest time of the year so it's the last thing we need; about a third of our takings are at Christmas.

The centre is locked up at 4 pm on Sundays.”

If you have any information about the incident phone police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.