Ref. 29496-16RAIDERS stole 14 Rolex watches worth £40,000 during a daylight smash and grab raid at Deacon's Jewellers in Wood Street, Swindon.

The raid at the Old Town shop was the first in its 156-year history, according to proprietor Richard Deacon.

To get to the watches, the thieves had to break half-inch thick glass with a sledgehammer or other heavy implement.

As soon as the alarm was raised, Swindon police mobilised the force helicopter to search for the two suspects.

The aftermath of the attack was witnessed by Old Town shopper Andrea Christmas.

She said: "I was in the Portman Building Society when I heard a loud bang and saw two men running past, one behind the other.

"They ran across the road right in front of me and down by Little London Court.

"One was clutching a carrier bag to his chest and I reckon that he had a heavy metal object in it.

"The first man looked weedy and was wearing nylon tracksuit bottoms, a long black coat and yellow gloves. The second man was wearing a Puffa-type jacket."

Another eyewitness, Swindon businessman Greg Jones, 47, said: "I was in my car, driving slowly along Wood Street, when I heard a bang.

"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."

Mr Deacon said: "We have had incidents in the past, but this is the first occasion on which anybody has been able to smash right through the glass.

"Life has to go on, and we will be open for business as usual."

Inspector David McMullins of Swindon police said four police cars and the helicopter were mobilised.

Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 01793 528111 or the confidential CrimeStoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.

Giles Sheldrick