Armed robbers raid jewellery shop

Armed robbers raided a jewellery shop on the Isle of Wight, sparking a major police hunt.

It happened at Benzie yachting jewellery shop in the High Street, Cowes, at about 1515 BST.

Police said they were investigating reports of a firearm being brandished, but not fired, by a group of men who were also carrying sledgehammers.

A woman working inside the shop was threatened, but not injured. The men made off with 15 watches.

'Shops busy'

An air and land search for the gang continued into the evening and officers are carrying out checks with Solent ferry operators.

Part of Cowes High Street remained sealed off during the evening to allow a forensic examination of the crime scene.

The robbers are said to have driven away along the one-way Cowes High Street in a grey Range Rover Freelander.

Witnesses said three men left a Land Rover in Northwood House car park on Friday afternoon, before driving away in a grey or silver Volkswagen.

Detectives are investigating the discovery of a car with a similar description, abandoned at the nearby Northwood House car park in Cowes.

Police are appealing for witnesses.