An investigation is underway after more than £100,000 of jewellery was stolen following a burglary in Preston city centre today (Monday, October 5).
Police were called at around 4.45am to reports of a burglary at George Banks Jewellers in Lune Street. Officers attended to find a substantial amount of jewellery had been stolen.
A spokesperson for Preston Police said: “Following investigation and CCTV enquiries, detectives believe around 4.30am a man entered the jewellers by breaking through an adjoining wall from a neighbouring property.
“The man then stole the jewellery before making off from the scene around five minutes later.”
Detectives are appealing for information, and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who might have been offered the jewellery for sale or seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the offence.
Det Con Mark Thornton of Preston CID said: “An investigation has been launched after a major theft from a jewellers in Preston.
“It is believed at this stage that a man has broken into the building after smashing through the adjoining wall of Plug and Taps using power tools.
“The offender has then broken into a number of display units stealing a substantial amount of jewellery before making off from the scene a short time later.
“We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who knows what happened, or saw someone in the area around the time of the offence acting suspiciously.
“Furthermore if you know someone who has come into possession of a large amount of jewellery, or you have today been offered a large amount of jewellery for sale, then call police immediately.”
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Anyone with information can contact police (01772) 209751 or email 5037@lancashire.police.uk quoting log 0146 of October 5.