By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
“Thieving scumbags” wearing balaclavas broke into Gloucester Antiques Centre and stole gold and jewellery in the early hours of Saturday morning (November 1).
Gloucestershire Constabulary is keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed or have any footage of the suspects involved in the burglary at 26 Westgate Street which happened before 2.50am.
Former mayor Kathy Williams, director at the centre, praised the police for their rapid response.
However, the break-in prevented them from opening until the afternoon on Saturday.
“The thieving scumbags kicked the door down and kicked the glass cabinets and took an amount of jewellery,” she said.
“Gloucestershire Constabulary was on the scene in ten minutes, thank goodness so the thieving scumbags took what they could and rode their bikes in full view of CCTV not only in the centre but through the centre of the city.
“The mess they made prevented us opening this morning and we eventually opened at 1.30pm.”
Mrs Williams said she has informed jewellers and pawnbrokers in the city in case the thieves try to sell what they stole quickly.
“All out stock is photographed and can be identified,” she said.
“Special praise to the police for ensuring our shop was secure until an emergency fitter could cover the door up and the scene of crime officers who did a very thorough job and managed to find evidence from what the criminals left behind.”
The antiques centre is open as usual this week from 10am to 5pm. A new door is expected to be fitted today (November 4).
The suspects are two men who were riding bicycles and were dressed in black and wearing balaclavas.
A Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesperson said: “We were called to Westgate Street in Gloucester at around 2.50am on Saturday (1 November) following a report of a burglary.
“It was reported that unknown offenders had forced entry to a premises before stealing gold and jewellery,” she said.
“The suspects were described as being two men who were riding bicycles, dressed in all black and wearing balaclavas.
“Officers conducted searches of the nearby area but were unable to locate the men.
“Investigating officers have since conducted CCTV enquiries in the area and are now keen to hear from anyone who witnessed what happened or has dashcam/mobile phone footage which they feel is relevant.
“Information can be submitted by completing the following online form and quoting incident 54 of 1 November: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/ ”