Police searching for a gang of men who stole up to £40,000 worth of jewellery in a smash-and-grab raid have hailed the response of shoppers and businesses.

Officers have not yet found the men who, shortly after noon last Wednesday, smashed the front windows of Nichols Jewellers in High Street, Teddington, grabbed as much as they could and sped off in a grey Transit van.

Up to four men were involved and the van was later found dumped in Ferry Road, close to the footbridge crossing the River Thames and Teddington Lock.

A police spokesman said they were investigating several lines of inquiry and a significant quantity of the stolen jewellery – estimated by store owner Laurence Nichols to be worth between £30,000 and £40,000 – had been recovered.

The spokesman added: “The response from shoppers and business in the area was excellent and a great deal of important information was given to police within minutes of the incident.”

Call Acting Detective Inspector Stuart McNaughton or PC Dean Amjad at Twickenham police station on 020 8247 5840.

In particular, police want to speak to anyone who saw a group of men on the Ham side of Teddington Lock soon after noon last Wednesday.