Up to £40,000 worth of jewellery has been stolen in a daylight smash-and-grab raid.

Shortly after noon on Wednesday, a gang smashed the front windows of Nichols Jewellers, in High Street, Teddington, grabbed as much as they could and sped off in a van.

Police confirmed up to four men jumped out of the grey Transit van, destroyed the windows, took the stock and headed off in the direction of Teddington Lock.

The van was later found dumped in Ferry Road, close to the footbridge crossing the River Thames.

It is unclear exactly what was used to smash the windows, but it is thought sledgehammers may have been involved.

Laurence Nichols, the owner of the store, said: “We haven’t ascertained how much has gone but we know it was probably about a third of our high end stuff.

“That’s probably [worth] between £30,000 and £40,000.”

He said reports of a bin being thrown through the window or the gang being armed were wide of the mark.

The road remained open after the raid, although the footpath in front of the shop was sealed off, and police recovered the van on Wednesday afternoon.

Acting Detective Inspector Stuart McNaughton is leading the hunt for the gang, but no arrests had been made at the time of going to press.

Anyone who witnessed the crime or saw the van is asked to contact police on 020 8247 7034 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Did you see the raid? Contact the newsdesk on 020 8744 4264 or email cwickham@london.newsquest.co.uk