This picture was captured by the Advertiser's CCTV camera minutes after two robbers stole 14 watches worth £40,000 from a jeweller in Old Town. Are they the thieves?

THESE are the two men and their van wanted by police after a £40,000 smash and grab raid on Swindon's oldest jeweller's shop.

The images were taken by the Evening Advertiser's own security cameras as the vehicle was parked in Albert Street prior to the theft at Deacon's in Wood Street, Old Town.

Meanwhile, descriptions of two wanted men have been issued by the police.

They are also examining a white Ford van to determine whether it was used in the crime.

Fourteen exclusive Rolex watches were stolen after the half inch-thick glass at the shop was smashed, possibly with a sledgehammer.

This was the first successful smash and grab raid in the 156-year history of the store, according to proprietor Richard Deacon.

The police helicopter was scrambled moments after the alarm was raised at about 3.35pm on Thursday, and cars sent to the scene and posted at strategic points around Swindon, but the thieves evaded capture.

Det Sgt Mark Smith of Swindon CID said: "We are interested in speaking to two men, and a white van is being forensically examined by officers looking for evidence."

The first of the two men sought is white, in his late 20s or early 30s, stocky and between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10in tall.

He wore a green or grey top, similar in style to a windcheater or thin Puffa-style garment, and has cropped short hair, possibly fair in colour. The second man is also white, a little older, perhaps further into his 30s, slimmer and slightly taller.

Following the theft on Thursday, businessman Greg Jones, 47, told how he tailed the men in his car, stopping only when he feared one might have a gun.

He had been driving slowly along Wood Street when he heard a bang.

He said: "I looked left and stopped the car outside the Kings Hotel. "I saw a man passing something to another. They ran down the street and I followed them in my car.

"They turned right and right again, and at one stage I was just five yards behind them. At another stage, one of the robbers looked round and put his hand inside his coat pocket, so I stopped immediately because I thought he had a gun. They jumped into a white van and tore off with the door open."

Anybody with information about the smash and grab is asked to contact the police on 01793 528111 or the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.

By BARRIE HUDSON