Northwich jewellery robbery

Bill, victim of the robbery

Just before Christmas last year, on 18 December 2008, a jeweller, Bill, was the victim of a violent robbery in Northwich, Cheshire.

He had been out visiting a client and had a large bag of jewellery on the passenger seat, in a black holdall. At around 6pm he returned home and parked his car on the driveway. Two men wearing dark anoraks and armed with metal instruments smashed the front and back windows on the passenger side of the car. They were shouting and swearing at him to let go of the bag. He tried to hold onto the bag, but the men beat him with the weapon.

As a result of the attack, he had to have surgery on Christmas Day and has had a metal plate put into his shoulder. His arm and fingers were broken and he suffered head injury as well as severe bruising to his upper body.

Eventually the offenders managed to grab the holdall and ran towards their getaway car. The car was a dark green Audi A4 Avant and was last seen heading down Riddings Lane.

Bill tried to chase the robbers, but tripped over and fell into the road. He watched as they sped off in the direction of Hartford village. Bill's wife heard the commotion and after realising what had happened, telephoned the police immediately.

Bill is having ongoing treatment for his injuries.

• The first offender is described as: white, overweight/big built, in his early 20s with long light hair that covered his ears. He was 5 ft 6in, clean shaven with a round face.

• The second offender is described as: 6ft tall, slim with a swarthy complexion, possibly Mediterranean. He was not clean shaven and had short dark hair. He was wearing a dark lightweight anorak with a round-neck T-shirt underneath.

• Have you been offered jewellery with the distinctive RW hallmark or been shown jewellery in the type of case shown or in the same fabric cloth?

• Have you been given jewellery with this hallmark for Christmas/ Valentines Day?

• Were you on Riddings Lane, either at the time of the incident or did you notice anyone acting suspiciously, or planning a getaway route, before the attack?

• Did you see the dark green Audi A4 Avant before to the incident, or any time afterwards?