Jewellers insurance news - Robberies may be linked, say police

A series of robberies on jewellers which have led to a rise in the number of jewellers insurance claims in England are currently being investigated by police who believe that a single gang may be behind all of the crimes.

Police say that one gang may be behind as many as 26 robberies since April 2005 and are calling for a "key witness", a woman who was having a watched fitted at the time of one of the smash and grabs, to step forward and assist their inquiries.

The most recent robbery occurred in Milton Keynes, with owners of the affected shop in the process of making a jewellers insurance claim.

Thames Valley Police spokesperson commented, "We have spoken to other forces and the Serious Organised Crime Group and indications are that the Milton Keynes offence was the latest in this series of robberies.

"We are of course keeping an open mind and we are actively following other lines of investigation including looking at CCTV and possible forensic opportunities.

"We are liaising with all UK ports.

And, in a message that is likely to ease the worries of other jewellers insurance customers in the Milton Keynes area, the spokesperson added, "I would like to reassure residents and visitors to Milton Keynes that it is very unlikely that the offenders are local or still in the area."