POLICE are still hunting for a group of men who robbed a jewellery shop in Bournemouth on Thursday afternoon.

The four men were reportedly armed with a Samurai sword when they raided Franses Jewellers in Westover Road at around midday.

They stole a number of items and fled the scene on motorcycles just minutes before police officers arrived. A major search involving the police helicopter was carried out across Bournemouth town centre, as well as Springbourne and Boscombe. Trains were stopped briefly at Bournemouth railway station so police could carry out searches.

However, despite finding three motorcycles and a sword, police have been unable to track down the offenders. Their investigations are continuing, a spokesperson for Dorset Police confirmed yesterday.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the force via 101.