POLICE are continuing their hunt for axe-wielding robbers who raided a town centre jewellery store.

The two masked robbers burst into Bradley’s Jewellers, in Market Row, off Northallerton High Street, just after 4pm on Thursday.

Wearing balaclavas and armed with what were believed to be axes, they smashed the display counters and stole jewellery.

They then headed on foot along Market Row, away from the High Street, and got into a red Vauxhall Combo van parked in the road between Applegarth car park and Romanby Road. The van was driven to Victoria Terrace, where it was abandoned.

Police are still trying to establish the items of jewellery stolen and their value.

The incident shocked many people in the town, which was busy with shoppers and families on half-term holiday.

Detective Inspector Andrea Kell, of Hambleton and Richmondshire CID, said he needed to speak to anyone who may have seen something suspicious.

“The High Street was busy at the time the robbery occurred and I need to speak to anyone who was either in the shopping arcade or in the area around that,” he said.

“I urge anyone to come forward who may have seen two men acting suspiciously before they committed the robbery or as they left the shop and headed down the arcade and into the red Vauxhall Combo van.

“I am particularly keen to speak to anyone who was in the Victoria Terrace area after the robbery occurred, and may have seen the van being abandoned.

“I need to know if the men got into another vehicle there, or left the area on foot.”

Inspector Sarah Sanderson, of Northallerton Safer Neighbourhood Team, said they had put on extra patrols in the town to reassure people.

“Thankfully, neither of the people working in the shop at the time of the robbery were physically harmed. However, they were left very shocked by the experience,” she said.

“I would like to reassure visitors to the town and business owners that we have extra patrols in the area. Officers are also visiting other jewellers across the area to offer security advice.”

Both men were white, one was about 5ft 8in and the second was shorter with a stocky build. They had a black holdall.

Anyone with information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, pressing option 2 and asking for Northallerton CID, or to call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111 quoting reference number 12120091533.