A MAN who claimed he was shopping for an engagement ring snatched diamond jewellery worth more than £20,000 from a Petersfield shop and made off in broad daylight.

The theft happened at Picketts and Pursers Ltd in Ramswalk on Wednesday, January 15, at 3pm.

The man entered the store and told an assistant that he was looking for an engagement ring and had £5,000 to spend.

A sales assistant selected a tray of rings from the window and was explaining them to him when the man grabbed the jewellery and ran out of the store.

He then made off in the direction of the Central car park.

The tray that was snatched contained six diamond rings with a value of £20,290.

Chris Pickett, who owns the store, told The Herald that staff had not been suspicious of the man.

ÒThe sales assistant thought it was unusual for someone of that age to spend that sort of money but it seemed quite plausible, he said his father was helping him,Ó he said.

ÒA sales assistant got a pad of rings out of the window. When she was explaining the rings to him he grabbed the pad and ran out.Ó

He added: ÒThey were all fairly large diamond rings.Ó

Pc Kevin Gatcum, of Petersfield police, said that the thief was last seen heading in the direction of the Central car park on foot.

Mr Pickett said the man had not used violence or threatened staff and Petersfield police have confirmed they are treating the incident as a theft.

The man, described as white, aged 24 to 25 years, about 5ft 10ins tall and of proportionate build, was captured clearly by the shopÕs CCTV cameras.

He was clean shaven with short, dark brown hair, brown eyes and was wearing oval-shaped spectacles, dark clothing and a black leather jacket which came to just below the waist.

Mr Pickett said: ÒAlthough we have a very comprehensive security policy in place backed up with our own showroom CCTV and the Rams Walk CCTV system, it seems there is always someone who thinks they can get away with this type of crime.Ó

He added: ÒOne rarely retrieves the goods from this type of theft. Our main consideration is the welfare of our sales team and the opportunity of bringing these unscrupulous people to justice.Ó

Since the snatch, the shop has undertaken a complete review of their procedures and have added measures to eliminate this sort of theft in the future.

Petersfield police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information about the theft to contact them and they are particularly keen to speak to two customers who entered the shop just as the thief

ran out.

Pc Gatcum said: ÒA man and a woman entered the shop just as the male ran off with the rings, and the police would very much like to speak to them about this.Ó

The six rings that were stolen were an emerald and diamond cluster ring, a ruby and diamond cluster ring, a sapphire and diamond five-stone ring, a sapphire and diamond three-stone ring, a southern stone diamond cluster ring and a five-stone diamond ring.

The rings were worth between £1,800 and £5,850 each.

Petersfield police can be contacted on 0845 045 45 45. Information can also be left anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.