Armed raiders at jeweller's foiled by alarm

Robbers armed with shotguns targeted a Black Country jewellery shop, only to be foiled by an alarm system that filled the store with smoke and trapped them inside.

Two men targeted Jai Jewellers in Cape Hill, Smethwick. But a security device was activated, filling the store with smoke.

Two men, both aged 26, were arrested at the scene.

Detectives were at the scene in Smethwick for hours yesterday and police cordoned off High Street and Shyland Road, while investigations continued.

A worker at the shop was injured after being hit round the head by the robbers.

He was treated by ambulance staff at the scene.

Residents today spoke of the moment the raiders targeted the shop.

Student nurse Simone Lewis, aged 26 said: "I saw smoke inside the shop, the burglars were trying to get out and had damaged the window.

"There were about 100 people watching on the opposite side of the road."

She added: "The police shattered the window to get the robbers out."

The raid at 3.30pm yesterday is the latest targeting jewellers in the region.

Laxmi Jewellers in Pleck, Walsall, Ashoka Jewellers in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, and Dulhan Jewellers, in Palfrey, Walsall, have all been raided recently.