BONNER'S Jewellers has thanked the Alcester community for "restoring their faith in humanity" following a raid on their shop. 

Police are hunting a burglar who stole a haul of items from the Market Place store at about 3.30am on Thursday, January 12.

The offender, who made off with an unknown quantity of jewellery, is believed to have forced entry to the store and a glass door was damaged. 

Posting on Instagram, a spokesman from Bonner's Jewellers said: "We were so humbled by the help and kindness of our fellow Alcester jewellers, traders, customers and friends. It's a cliche but you absolutely restored our faith in humanity.

"We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who came and supported us."

The spokesman appealed for people to share an image of two distinctive pieces of jewellery to help catch those responsible. 

They said: "Though thankfully most of the items taken were lower value there were two high value pieces included which are extremely distinctive.

"We would be incredibly grateful if as many people as possible could circulate this tag, share, forward - anything you can to stop these thieves moving them on easily and potentially lumbering an unsuspecting jeweller or buyer with stolen goods.

"We are only a small family business, but we have worked very hard to make it something to be proud of and it is a real blow to have our livelihood affected in this way by people incapable of understanding the difficulties and sacrifices all small businesses, and indeed all genuine, hardworking people like us face.

"Please help make this a little more difficult for them."

The suspect is thought to have made off on a push bike in the direction of the High Street.

Enquiries are ongoing and police are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Warwickshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incident number 31 of January 12.