DIAMOND rings and bracelets, gold chains and watches worth up to £140,000 were stolen in a raid on a Blandford jeweller.

Thieves broke in to Raffles in Salisbury Street at 3.50am on Monday (August 11) through a side window and escaped in a stolen car which was later found abandoned.

Two men were seen

in the vicinity but escaped.

Owner Steven Toombs said he thought he had lost about £140,000 worth but could not be sure until a full stock check was carried out.

He believed the raid was carried out by professionals.

"It was very quick - they broke the pane and chipped away the bits of glass so they could get a smooth entry," he said.

"They were obviously wearing gloves and they knew what they wanted - they took all the diamond rings and bracelets, gold chains, all the hand-made jewellery."

Police forensic personnel had examined the shop and the abandoned red Vauxhall Astra and CID were carrying out a door-to-door inquiry, he said.

"I feel sick - I have just spent the last couple of years putting everything I can into it," Mr Toombs added.

"I'm gutted and I feel like closing the whole thing down but I will change my mind tomorrow."

Last year the shop suffered a smash-and-grab when gold chains were stolen from a female assistant.

Mr Toombs said his security firm might tighten up procedures but felt he was as well protected as possible, with alarms going through to the police station.

There had been a rapid response from police, he said.

Raffles is in a Grade II listed building and Mr Toombs is not allowed to install shutters or bars at the window.

"The council won't give me planning permission but I will approach them again," he said.