Jewellers targeted in latest Tilehurst robbery

Police "keeping an open mind" as to connection of robberies following latest Tilehurst incident

A JEWELLERY shop in Tilehurst was targeted by armed masked raiders on Wednesday, the latest incident in a string of violent crimes in the suburb.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to the attempted robbery at the James Bloor shop, in School Road, at around 12.40pm.

Two men wearing balaclavas entered the store and fought with the owner, and despite several attempts to steal goods left the shop empty handed and left the area in a car.

The victim suffered two small puncture wounds to his back in the incident and police believe he may have been struck with a screwdriver.

The attempted robbery follows several incidents across Tilehurst including an aggravated burglary at a house where a man was slashed with a knife, a similar incident where robbers attacked a man his home with spades and an attack on an office worker during a robbery.

Police say they are keeping an open mind as to whether the crimes are linked.

Pc Pauline Cameron, from Reading CID, said “This was clearly a distressing incident for the owner of the shop. Fortunately the offenders were not able to steal any of the jewellery.

“I'm keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area either immediately before or after the incident.

Anyone with any information about this or any of the other incidents is asked to contact Reading CID on 0845 8 505 505 or anonymously on 0800 555 111.