Public help apprehend suspected jewellery thieves

Police were called to the Vineyard Street car park in Colchester on Friday afternoon

Five people have been charged after jewellery described as "high value" was allegedly taken from a car.

Essex Police said a woman carrying a bag of jewellery was in the Vineyard Street car park in Colchester at about 15:00 BST on Friday.

A group distracted her, as well as other people in the car park, and when they left she realised the bag was missing - the force said.

One man was detained with the help of the public and the jewels were later found in a car that was stopped travelling southbound on the A12 near Chelmsford.

Three men and two women - aged between 25 and 69 - were arrested and charged with theft from a motor vehicle.

They were due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday.

Det Sgt Richard Vince said: "To be able to return goods to an owner is always a pleasure and in this case, they are clearly of sentimental value."

He praised the people who stepped in to help.

"Your tenacity and willingness to do the right thing is appreciated by every officer involved in this investigation," he said.