The owner of a jewellery shop in Bridport has told of her shock after burglars smashed her shop window and snatched goods inside.
Battens Jewellers on South Street was broken into and items were stolen at around 3.20am on Friday, August 16.
The upper half of the shop window suffered serious damage, which allowed the thieves to reach inside and snatch jewellery.
Silver bracelets estimated to be worth almost £1k were stolen, and more may be missing.
The owner Gemma Case is shocked by the break-in.
She said: "It is quite scary, they would have made a hell of a bash.
"A couple of the people around here say they heard a few very loud bangs. It is a hell of a mess."
Ms Case says that the thieves appeared to hit the glass numerous times before the 12mm laminated anti-bandit glass broke.
She added: "It (the glass) doesn't shatter so they push what is left into the shop, stand up and manage to reach their hand in over the metal barrier and steal a bar of gents' metal bracelets."
Although the damage is covered by insurance, Ms Case estimates that thousands of pounds of damage was done - far exceeding the value of the items believed to be stolen.
"I am quite shocked that it has happened really. Bridport is quite nice and we have not had something like this happen for 20 years," added Ms Case,
"It does make me feel a bit uneasy.
"A lot of people are coming in offering their condolences which is lovely, we have lots of support. It is a nice community in Bridport."
Dorset Police say no arrests had been made so far.
Police say they have been on the scene to conduct initial enquiries and it will be examined.
Police Constable Paul Miners, of West Dorset police, said: “Our investigation is in the early stages and we are establishing exactly what was stolen during the incident.
“Officers have carried out initial enquiries and an examination of the scene will be conducted.
“I am appealing to anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the area around the relevant time to please come forward.
“Also, if you were driving in South Street overnight and have a dashcam fitted to your vehicle, I would ask you to please check your footage for anything of relevance.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240125832.
Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
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