AUDACIOUS burglars cut a hole in a shop window and raided jewellery from a display – while the store was open.
A huge square was cut out of the Griffin Jewellers' window in Prospect Street in Bridlington at about 5pm yesterday.
Rings and other jewellery remained scattered on the pavement outside after the burglars made off.
Police cordoned off the area after the raid.
A staff member, who did not wish to be named, said: "Nobody was injured and we were still open when it happened.
"We can't say anything else about what happened at the minute."
Residents stopped and stared in amazement at the scene last night.
Among those who passed shortly after it the burglary happened was Jenni Hird.
She said: "I drove by at about 5.30pm and there were police outside and a lot of people there having a look.
"I was gob smacked at how clean the cut looked and the fact whoever did this had the balls to do it during opening hours, when the street will probably have been busy with people going past.
"There must have been quite a few people there.
"It must all have been over very quickly.
"It is madness."
The business sells jewellery and clocks and is officially listed in the top 100 UK Jewellers.
Mrs Hird said: "You've got to press a door bell for staff to come and let you in the shop.
"It is really well known in the jewellers world."
A 48-year-old man, who did not wish to give his name, was at the scene shortly after it happened.
He said: "It looked like a real professional job.
"The window was cut in a perfect square and it looks as though the glass was lifted out – all done while the shop was still open.
"Griffin is a well known jeweller in Bridlington and sells high-class jewellery.
"I don't know what is happening in Bridlington at the minute.
"It seems to be getting worse and worse. We've had murders and there seems to be a lot of crime happening in the town in the last few months."
It is not known how many people were involved in the burglary.
Nobody from Humberside Police was available to comment at the time of going to press.
Anyone with information about the burglary should call Humberside Police on 101.
