Smash and grab raiders have got away with jewellery believed to be worth thousands of pounds.

The thieves smashed their way into the Dartmouth Trading Company shop on The Quay through the front door in the early hours of Wednesday.

They then grabbed jewellery from a window display before making their getaway in the raid which lasted just minutes.

That morning the shop was still open for business as usual – although the front door was missing after being taken off its hinges and sent off to be repaired.

Owner Chris Otter was at the shop counter dealing with customers as usual on Wednesday morning despite the raid.

'We are always in action here,' he said.

Meanwhile police forensic officers were in action in other parts of the shop.

Mr Otter said: 'They smashed their way in through the glass door.' He added they had not caused any further damaged as they striped one of the windows of items.

He said the raiders had triggered an alarm and people had been on the scene of the raid within minutes.

He said he had still to work out the exact value of the jewellery that had been stolen in the raid.