7 September 2010 Last updated at 16:23 ET

Men in armed robbery at Stoke-on-Trent jewellers

Three armed men threatened staff during a robbery in which gold jewellery was stolen in Stoke-on-Trent.

Sledgehammers were used to cause damage to Eastern Jewellers on College Road, Shelton. The offenders went in at about 1600 BST on Tuesday.

Witnesses also reported that one of the men appeared to be armed with what was described as a firearm, but it was not discharged.

A fourth man remained in a black-coloured car outside the shop.

'Detailed account'

No-one was injured in the incident.

The offenders stole a quantity of gold jewellery before making off in a black-coloured new shape VW Golf, Staffordshire Police said.

The men had their faces covered and were wearing casual clothing.

A few minutes after the incident police received a report from a member of the public about a suspicious vehicle in an alley between Sackville Street and Gladstone Street in Basford.

A number of men were seen running from a black coloured VW Golf, which they had abandoned in the alleyway.

Armed police were sent to the scene to ensure people's safety and secured the vehicle.

Det Insp Rob Thompson, from Stoke-on-Trent CID, said: "Although shaken, the staff at the shop have been able to give us a detailed account of what happened."