Historic Roman jewellery stolen from York shop

Police have released CCTV images of two men they would like to speak to in connection with a theft at a York-based jewellery shop.

Distinctive, historic jewellery was stolen from The Red House Antique Centre in Duncombe Place. The incident happened at 9.55am on Saturday 22 April 2017.

Police say that two men entered the shop, forced open one of the cabinets and stole Roman gold and silver pieces of jewellery.

The jewellery taken was worth more than £5000 and included three pairs of earrings, a Roman necklace, gold ring, silver pendant and gold necklace.

Helena He, the owner, told the York Press: “It’s very shocking. You never think it’s going to happen to you.

“Saturday is our best day for trading and there would have been a lot of people around at that time. They came into the room and looked around, then came back in later and went straight to the cabinet.

“One of the men looked out to see if anyone was coming and the other stood with his back to the CCTV.”

He realised the jewellery was missing later that day.

He added: “It’s not normal shoplifting, they have done something to the lock and we are worried they will come back.

“We have been trading over 10 years in York and it always has been a nice place, but now I feel York has never been this unsafe.”

York Police have released images of the jewellery stolen and has urged the community to be vigilant and report if they spot the jewellery being offered for sale.

Anyone with information is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 12170068730.