POLICE in Essex have released a CCTV image of an armed robber who threatened staff at a jewellers with a handgun.The robber, wearing a crash helmet and a distinctively marked leather jacket, burst in to Upchurch and Son in St Nicholas Passage, just off Colchester's High Street, at about 9.

POLICE in Essex have released a CCTV image of an armed robber who threatened staff at a jewellers with a handgun.

The robber, wearing a crash helmet and a distinctively marked leather jacket, burst in to Upchurch and Son in St Nicholas Passage, just off Colchester's High Street, at about 9.50am yesterday.

After intimidating the shop's staff, he escaped from the scene on a green moped with thousands of pounds worth of jewellery.

The robber, who is described as white, around 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall, and of medium build, was wearing a grey crash helmet with a horizontal white stripe and clear visor, black trousers and footwear.

He was also wearing black leather motorcycle gloves and a distinctive three-quarter length black jacket with large white letters reading “A1” on the front and back and smaller lettering underneath.

He also carried a striped black and silver satchel-type shoulder bag.

Although no one was injured during the raid, a senior member of staff said employees were left shaken.

Caroline Beatchelor, one of the shop's directors, said: “He went in and out very quickly. Everyone's ok and that's the main thing we're concerned about.”

She said everyone at the shop had a lot of work to do and were now trying to get back to normal and make it “business as usual”.

After conducting a thorough search of the area, police are now studying CCTV taken in the shop and the surrounding area.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Mark Merry urged anyone with any details about the crime to get in touch.

He said: “This man has walked into a jewellers, threatened staff with a gun, and made of with what we believe to be a large sum of jewellery.

“He was wearing distinctive clothing and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the robbery, or knows anything at all about it, to contact us as soon as possible.

“If anybody sees an abandoned green moped, or any items of clothing matching the description given, they should also notify police immediately.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Colchester Police Station on 01206 762212.