MASKED thieves armed with crowbars forced their way into a family-owned jewellery shop stealing high-value items in a two-minute smash and grab.

Four 'ruthless' burglars wreaked havoc with hammers damaging display cabinets while partially blinded by security fog inside the store.

Jewellery items painstakingly crafted by owner Tim Kerntiff were taken into a getaway van outside Robert Alan Jewellers.

It's thought a battering ram was used to smash a steel-plated access door giving the gang entry to the business that has been in Station Road, New Milton, since 1924.

Mr Kerntiff believes the global demand for gold led thieves to his store.

He said: "Most of the jewellery that was taken was made by myself. It's devastating - I've spent so many hours making it.

"To see it go in the wrong hands - it's really, really upsetting."

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Stock items were taken but most of the higher-value jewellery was not taken due to it being protected by further security measures.

Daily Echo:

Mr Kerntiff added: "It was really ruthless."

Scenes of crime officers are scouring the property today for clues to catch the gang.

A statement from the jewellery shop said: "Extreme force was used by the suspects to smash a security door from its frame and at least four masked and hooded suspects accessed the property with further suspect(s) waiting outside the property. 

"Our alarm and fogging security device was activated as the suspects used hammers and crowbars to smash and attempt to smash internal display cabinets. 

"A number of pieces of our stock jewellery were taken by the suspects, amounting to a high value. An enormous amount of damage was caused by the gang of suspects within the shop, all within the two-minute period they were on site. 

"Our resident goldsmith and designer, Tim, has dedicated an incomprehensible number of hours handcrafting many of the items of jewellery that were stolen. 

"It is heartbreaking to see these unique pieces of jewellery fall into the hands of this gang, instead of becoming treasured heirlooms of our valued clients."

A Hampshire police spokesman added: "Entry was gained via a rear door of the premises and a large quantity of jewellery stolen during the process.

"Enquiries remain ongoing at this time. If anyone has any information in relation to this incident, they are asked to call 101, quoting 44220397118."