Sledgehammers used in jewellery shop robbery bid

TWO sledgehammer wielding robbers smashed the window of Muswell Hill jewellers, in broad daylight. One of the suspects, who was wearing goggles, tried to break the glass front of Robert Bale Jewellers in Muswell Broadway, while his accomplice watched. But

TWO sledgehammer wielding robbers smashed the window of Muswell Hill jewellers, in broad daylight.

One of the suspects, who was wearing goggles, tried to break the glass front of Robert Bale Jewellers in Muswell Broadway, while his accomplice watched.

But their efforts were unsuccessful and they failed to steal any of the jewellery, which was worth in excess of £10,000.

Brothers Sud Ashra, 43, and Shirifh Ashra, 55, have owned the shop for 23 years.

Shirifh Ashra said: "It was an attempted smash and grab in Muswell Hill Broadway, in broad daylight, while we were in the shop.

"The two men just suddenly appeared and the first blow was like an explosion because they used a sledgehammer."

Mr Ashra said that he chased the men until they turned into Muswell Hill Road, and that his daughter, in particular, was furious with him for doing so.

He said: "It was very scary but I was more concerned about my daughter because she works in Keats estate agents four doors down.

"When she came into the shop she gave me a right b*llocking for chasing them. I was more scared of her than them!"

A woman is believed to have taken a picture of the men on her mobile phone - seconds before they struck - because she thought they looked suspicious. CCTV footage has also been retrieved from the scene by police.

The glass, which was armour plated, will have to be replaced at an estimated cost of £2,000.

Mr Ashra said: "It will cost up to £2,000 to replace the damaged window but it's such a small thing really. If you look at the problems other people have - or things that are going on globally - this is very small."

The suspects are described as being light skinned black or Asian men, in their early 20's. They were wearing casual clothes with hooded tops

A police spokeswoman said: "One of the suspects is believed to have been wearing goggles and attempted to smash the window with a hammer.

"Police attended to find that the front window of the shop had a large crack in it and spoke to witnesses that came forward at the scene."

The incident happened on Friday July 4 at 9.30am. Haringey Robbery Squad is investigating and has asked anyone with information to contact DS Shaun Carre-Brown of Haringey's Robbery Squad on 020-8345 0870 or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.