DETECTIVES are hunting four men who held up a jewellery shop in Colchester this afternoon.The gang made off with Rolex watches and other valuable items after robbing the store armed with hammers and possibly a small handgun or knife.

DETECTIVES are hunting four men who held up a jewellery shop in Colchester this afternoon.

The gang made off with Rolex watches and other valuable items after robbing the store armed with hammers and possibly a small handgun or knife.

The raid happened at the Markhams shop in Priory Street, shortly before 2.45pm.

A display case and front window were smashed before the gang escaped in a blue Renault Megane car parked in a nearby public car park and drove off towards East Hill.

They then abandoned the Megane at Harwich Road, set it on fire and switched to a white high-sided Transit van.

One of the gang is believed to have suffered burns as the Megane was set alight.

Essex Police want to hear from anyone who saw the robbery take place or saw the Megane being parked or driven around town before the incident.

The car, bearing the number plate V436 MMY, was parked in a public car park at Priory Street about five minutes before the robbery.

DI Jim Caulfield of Colchester CID said: “We also want to hear from anyone who may have seen the Transit van being left near the roundabout in Harwich Road or anyone who saw the Megane being set on fire.

“The Transit van had a black tubular roof rack and darkened rear windows.

“The four men were all black and wearing jeans and hoodies. We know they had hammers which they used to smash the shop window and the display case inside the shop and witnesses have stated that they possibly had a small handgun or knife.”

Anyone with information should contact Colchester CID on 0300 333 4444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.