Thief steals £100k worth of jewellery from Preston store in overnight raid

Police rushed to reports a substantial amount of jewellery had been stolen from George Banks Jewellers in Lune Street at around 4.45am today (October 5).

Detectives believe a man entered the jewellers by breaking through the wall of the adjoining Plug & Taps at around 4.30am.

The thief then left the store with £100,000 worth of jewellery after smashing through a number of display units. He then made off from the scene around five minutes later.

Officers are now keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the jewellery for sale or anyone acting suspiciously in the area shortly before the heist.

Det Con Mark Thornton, of Preston CID, said: "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.

"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."

Adam Godwin, licensee of the Plug and Taps craft beer bar, said the thieves had broken in through the roof of his business before smashing their way through into the jewellers.

"We've not been allowed in yet," he added. "It's just a shock more than anything - it's like something you expect in a film."

The bar had yet to reopen following the lockdown but it was hoped they would be able to welcome customers back later this month.

The latest setback was "just what you need," Mr Godwin, who also runs the Market Ale House in Leyland, said.

"We were about to start work this week."

He added that he was unsure when the intruders first gained access through the roof, sparking fears there could be substantial weather damage to the bar.

"With the rain on Saturday we don't know what it's going to be like," he said.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact police by calling (01772) 209 751 or emailing [email protected], quoting log 0146 of October 5.

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