Leeds: Armed robbers target Seacroft Green shopping centre jewellers

The suspects were reportedly carrying chainsaws

Robbers used a chainsaw to access a jewellery shop in Leeds and steal "high-value and luxury watches".

West Yorkshire Police said the incident at Christopher Brown Jewellers at the Seacroft Green Shopping Centre took place at about 11:40 GMT on Wednesday.

The shop's owner, Christopher Brown, said the staff were "absolutely fine" following the incident.

The thieves left the scene in a blue vehicle heading towards North Parkway, with police appealing for witnesses.

Mr Brown said he had been at another of the company's nine branches when the robbery took place.

The thieves used a chainsaw to shatter the shopfront's glass in broad daylight while the precinct was "quite busy" with shoppers, he added.

"It was like a smash and grab, but a little bit more sophisticated in the fact they used a steel chainsaw," said Mr Brown.

"They have managed to get a large number of high-value and luxury watches."

He said they had yet to calculate the value of the goods taken.

"We haven't had one during daylight hours like that [before]. Fingers crossed the police catch the perpetrators."

Mr Brown said their security measures meant attempted robberies were "quite rare"

"We won't let things like this get in the way of providing a service to our customers.

"We will be trading as usual tomorrow," he said.