THE owners of a family-run jewellers in Lydney were left to pick up the pieces after their shop front was ‘ram-raided’ by thieves in an attempted burglary this week.

A 22 year-old man from the Forest remained in police custody while a second was arrested on Wednesday (May 25), after the frontage of Taylors Jewellers, located on Newerne Street in the town, was driven into by the offenders in the early hours of Tuesday morning (May 24).

Police were called with a report that the ‘ram-raid’ had taken place at around 2.50am.

The thieves entered the shop and made off with a number of jewellery boxes, which turned out to be empty, before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.

Then, shortly before 5am, police attended “an altercation” in the town centre and, on arrival, one man ran away.

A foot chase took place before officers commandeered a bicycle and cycled up to the man.

The 22 year-old from the Forest was then arrested on suspicion of being involved in the burglary.

He was also arrested on suspicion of assault, driving while under the influence and possession of a class B drug.

Gloucestershire Constabulary said that officers from across the force, including a police helicopter, worked together to make the arrest.

He remained in police custody on Wednesday (May 25) after an extension was granted.

A second man, a 25 year-old from Monmouth, was also arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with the incident on Wednesday morning.

The scene of the crime was cordoned off by police on Tuesday while forensic officers completed their analysis.

The front of the shop was badly damaged during the incident, with much of the wooden window frame, two large glass panels and parts of the brickwork having been completely smashed in.

Contractors worked throughout the day on Tuesday to remove most of the damaged frontage and temporarily board it up so that the shop could be secured.

Locals posted photos of the damaged shop front on the Lydney Community Group Facebook page, with many residents commenting with support and sympathy for the owners.

One person commented: “I feel sorry for them, the shop was smartened up & nice new frontage put in not long ago.

“I hope the hateful people that did it get caught & punished properly.”

Another said: “It’s horrible for the owners. Times are hard enough without extra expense.”

Family-run business Taylors, which was established in the Forest in 2009, also has a shop on Market Street in Cinderford.

The Lydney store celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, and also had new signage installed to the shop front recently.

Police issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon, which said their investigation was “ongoing”.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Griffiths said: “This type of brazen criminality will not be tolerated in our communities and we will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.

“I’m grateful for the hard work of our officers across a number of teams in bringing about this swift action.”

Officers are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information to come forward.

Information can be submitted online, at www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report, quoting incident 33 of May 24, or by calling police on 101.