THREE masked men raided a jewellers, carrying a handgun and hammer.

The robbers struck at Stanfords Jewellers, in Kings Street, Stanford-le-Hope, to steal watches and jewellery from front window displays.

Eyewitnesses said they saw one of the men carrying a box out of the shop before jumping into a black Volkswagen Passat and speeding off yesterday afternoon.

The road was cordoned off by police following the incident.

The first man is white, in his forties, stocky, about 5ft 10ins tall and walked with a limp in his left leg.

He wore a shiny dark padded jacket with a hood, grey jogging bottoms, black trainers and had a small black hand gun.

The second man is black, in his twenties, 6ft 2ins tall, slim, and black trousers and a black jacket with small white triangle beading where the sleeve joined the coat.

He was carrying bolt croppers and a shiny black holdall.

The third man is white, in his twenties, between 5ft 11ins to 6ft tall, wore a navy blue hoody with white drawstrings, dark trainers with white soles and had a hammer.

The vehicle’s registration is AG09 PVZ.

Anyone with information can call Det Insp Neil Pudney on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.