Smash-and-grab raiders take £28k of medals, coins and jewellery

ANTIQUE coins, medals and jewellery valued at around £28,000 were stolen when thieves raided a pick-up truck on a driveway in Walkford, near Highcliffe.

The Mitsubishi’s windows were smashed while it was parked outside a dealer’s home in Wyndham Road around 2.45am on Sunday.

The items, which had been loaded in the vehicle the previous evening in readiness for an antiques fair in Winchester on Sunday, were taken along with the six aluminium cabinets in which they were housed.

Among them were medals from various conflicts including both world wars and the Boer War, along with ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and medieval coins.

One of the cabinets contained a selection of high-value jewellery.

Dorset Police have launched an investigation into the raid, although a force spokesperson told the A&T no arrests had yet been made.

People are being urged to come forward if they saw any suspicious activity in the area at the time of the offence.

The victim, who wanted to remain anonymous, is offering a £500 reward for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible.

Those with information should contact officers on 101, quoting crime reference number 55190181376, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.