Hunt for thief after £4,400 jewellery grab

POLICE have appealed for witnesses after jewellery worth more than £4,000 was stolen from a shop in Edinburgh.

The incident happened around 2pm on Thursday at a jewellery store on Morningside Road.

A man entered the shop and asked about a bracelet, which the assistant then produced from the display cabinet.

The man then snatched the jewellery – worth 4,400 – and ran from the store into a waiting vehicle that made off west along Morningside Road before turning left on to Nile Grove and being lost to sight.

The suspect is described as white, about 40 years old, 5ft 4in tall with a heavy build and a distinctive round face and stubbly complexion.

He was wearing khaki green combat trousers with pockets halfway down the leg, a dark coloured jacket, baseball cap and spoke with an Edinburgh accent.

A police spokesman said: "This appears to be a pre-planned effort to make off with a valuable piece of jewellery and we are eager to trace those responsible for the robbery.

"Anyone who was in the Morningside area and saw anything suspicious is asked to contact police immediately.

"Similarly, anyone who can provide us with a description of the vehicle and its movements after turning on to Nile Grove is also asked to come forward."

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131-311 3131.