Safe ripped from floor and glass smashed during raid on Ipswich branch of Timpson

The rock staff believe suspects used to smash the glass door at Timpson's during a burglary. Picture: COLIN ADWENT (Image: Archant)

The suspects, who also took five or six watches from Timpson in Tavern Street, managed to rip a 30kg safe from the floor – and ran off with the £1,100 they found inside.

Police believe the raid happened between 5.15pm on Saturday and 7.30am on Monday, and have since released an appeal for witnesses.

Shane Daly was the first member of staff to arrive at Timpson’s on Monday.

The shop was shut all day on Sunday.

“I got in early at 7.30am,” said Mr Daly. “I was confronted with the door smashed in.

“Initially I thought it was vandals. I phoned up the shop manager and said ‘we have had some vandalism’, and called the police.”

After arriving at the shop, manager John Fox went upstairs and found the 30kg metal safe – which had been bolted to the floor – had gone.

It contained around £1,100 from Saturday’s takings and five or six watches.

The thieves are believed to have gone out through the bottom part of the glass front door which they smashed with a large rock in order to enter the shop.

Apart from the safe, the offenders also stole some coppers and five pence pieces which were left in the till.

Mr Daly believes the burglary was carried out sometime on Sunday night or early on Monday.

He said: “It’s disappointing.”

Detectives investigating the raid would like to speak to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area between the times specified.

The door at Timpson’s, which is opposite McDonald’s, is now boarded up and should be repaired in the next few days.

A number of people will have passed the store, which repairs and sells watches as well as offering key cutting services and engraved jewellery, over the weekend.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Suffolk police on 101 quoting crime reference number 20104/17.