A JEWELLER whose shop was raided for the second time in a month has called on the community to help catch the criminals responsible.

Carlton Jewellers, in High Street, Maldon, was targeted by crooks in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The thieves broke through the front window before making off with watches worth thousands of pounds.

It comes just weeks after the jewellers was hit by raiders, on New Year’s Day, when other items worth thousands were stolen.

Owner Gabrielle Warren said: “It is incredibly sad for us as an independent family run business as the thieves are forgetting the fact that this business puts food on the dinner table for our children.

“Not only have they caused us this hardship but they have taken much loved time away from a mother and her children on our one day a week off work together.

“My husband and I had to rectify the damage caused and my children had to come too and they helped tidy up the mess without complaint because they are good kids.”

Following the first raid Mrs Warren decided to pay to install industrial shutters to protect the business.

But while they were waiting for them to be fitted the second raid took place, leaving the family devastated. Mrs Warren has implored the Maldon community to help police bring the criminals to justice.

She said: “My nine-year-old daughter has had nightmares since the last time and this has not helped, We thought we had made the shop less vulnerable. However, in the wait for the new industrial shutters to be made and fitted we were targeted again.

“I implore the close knit community of Maldon to bring these criminals to justice.

“When they are not stealing from us they are taking from your handbags and burgling your homes as you sleep.

“Work together to keep Maldon the safe warm friendly place that we all love.”

The watches stolen at the weekend were serial numbered, meaning they can be traced.

The incident has been reported to the police, who are still investigating the previous burglary on New Year’s Day.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Watches worth a four figure sum were stolen during a burglary at Carlton Jewellers in High Street, Maldon, at 3.30am on Sunday.

“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone who saw anybody acting suspiciously outside the shop at the time or has been offered watches for sale and is suspicious about where they came from is asked to call the Maldon local policing team on 101 quoting reference 42/13096/18.”