A HIGH street jewellery store was targeted by crooks in the early hours of the morning.

Mallards Jewellers and Pawnbrokers in Southend High Street was damaged in the break-in and has remained closed this week as a result.

Essex Police confirmed that jewellery was stolen during the break-in, but owners remained tight lipped over the value of items and insisted the thieves escaped “with very little”.

A spokesman for the store said: “We can confirm there was a break-in in the early hours of Sunday morning. The state of the art security system raised the alarm and our security personnel came to the shop quickly with Essex Police.

“The would be robbers left almost empty handed.

“There was some damage to the shops interior counters and the shop will be open on Thursday.”

Police confirmed the break-in took place at roughly 1.45am Sunday.

Ron Woodley, Independent deputy leader of Southend Council slammed the crooks and sent his thoughts to the business owners.

He said: “This is shocking, and any sort of incident like this is not welcome anywhere in our borough.

“Shops such as this one have been shut all this time and now they’ve had this happen to to them. I have great sympathy for the shop owners.

“This is probably the last thing in the world that they wanted to happen. I hope the police catch the people who did this and that justice is served in this case.

“With what has been going on with the coronavirus outbreak, we want to see people working together not people taking advantage of the situation.”

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward and help with the investigation.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating following a burglary at Mallard Jewellers in Southend High Street. It took place at around 1.45am on Sunday July 5.

“It was reported someone broke into the store, broke glass displays and stole jewellery.

“If you saw anything, have any CCTV or dash cam footage, or have any other information please call us on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/98667/20.”

A HIGH street jewellery store was targeted by crooks during an early morning smash and grab break-in.

Mallards Jewellers and Pawnbrokers in Southend High Street was broken into during the early hours of Sunday morning.

Shoppers and nearby traders have reported seeing the shop closed on Sunday following the incident.

The store bosses say the robbers escaped with very little, and police have confirmed jewellery was stolen in the break-in.

A spokesman for the store said: “We can confirm there was a break-in in the early hours of Sunday morning. The state of the art security system raised the alarm and our security personnel came to the shop quickly with Essex Police.

“The would be robbers left almost empty handed. There was some damage to the shops interior counters and the shop will be open on Thursday.”

Ron Woodley, Independent deputy leader of Southend Council slammed the crooks and sent his thoughts to the business owners.

He said: “This is shocking, and any sort of incident like this is not welcome anywhere in our borough.

“Shops such as this one have been shut all this time and now they’ve had this happen to to them.

“I have great sympathy for the shop owners.

“This is probably the last thing in the world that they wanted to happen. I hope the police catch the people who did this and that justice is served in this case.

“With what has been going on with the coronavirus outbreak, we want to see people working together not people taking advantage of the situation.”

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward and help with the investigation.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating following a burglary at Mallard Jewellers in Southend High Street.

“It took place at around 1.45am on Sunday July 5.

“It was reported someone broke into the store, broke glass displays and stole jewellery.

“If you saw anything, have any CCTV or dash cam footage, or have any other information please call us on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/98667/20.

“Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”