Portslade jeweller foils armed robbers

The brave owner of a Portslade jewellers foiled three armed robbers yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 14 December).

The men forced their way into James Ross Jewellers in Station Road, Portslade, at about 2.15pm.

They were wearing what were described as all-white one-piece suits with high-visibility jackets.

One was wielding what appeared to be a 10in cosh and another had a hammer.

Shop owner James Ross, 36, swung a big torch at the nearest of the three and set off the alarm.

The three men ran out of the shop and fled empty-handed down an alleyway beside the shop which leads to Gordon Road.

Mr Ross, who works in the shop with his father Henry Ross, 60, said that it was the second attempted robbery this year.

He said that he had been running the shop for 12 years but had never had a problem until this year.

He said: “We’ve got a security door but three guys pushed past one of my customers to get in.

“I grabbed my torch. It’s a big Maglite that I use for looking for things that have been dropped on the floor.

“There were two customers in here. No one got hurt. We saw them off very quickly.

“I was ready. It happened earlier in the year. Two people tried to rob the shop in August but my Dad was in here then.

“We’re open for business as usual.”

Detective Sergeant Steve Warner said: “The owner resisted very robustly and clearly deterred the would-be robbers, who we believe to be white and in their late teens or twenties.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the Station Road area on Wednesday afternoon and saw this distinctive looking trio.”

Witnesses are urged to call Sussex Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.