Police are asking for help in finding masked men who tried to smash their way into a Great Yarmouth jewellery shop with sledgehammers.

Norwich Evening News: Scene of an attempted robbery from Cox and Son Jewellers on Northgate Street in Great Yarmouth. Windows have been smashed using two sledgehammers left on the road. Picture: James BassScene of an attempted robbery from Cox and Son Jewellers on Northgate Street in Great Yarmouth. Windows have been smashed using two sledgehammers left on the road. Picture: James Bass

Officers were called to Cox and Son in Northgate Street at about 9.20am today after three men with their faces covered damaged the shop windows with sledgehammers.

Norwich Evening News: Scene of an attempted robbery from Cox and Son Jewellers on Northgate Street in Great Yarmouth.Windows have been smashed using two sledgehammers left on the road.Picture: James BassScene of an attempted robbery from Cox and Son Jewellers on Northgate Street in Great Yarmouth.Windows have been smashed using two sledgehammers left on the road.Picture: James Bass

The men fled the scene when they failed to smash the glass, dropping the weapons before running towards the town centre.

Within minutes,the police helicopter was circling above Yarmouth in a bid to find them.

Investigating officer detective sergeant Mark Joyce, from Yarmouth CID, said: 'There were a number of staff members inside the jewellers at the time. Fortunately no one was injured although they were understandably left shaken by what happened.

'We immediately deployed officers to the scene and following information from eye-witnesses carried out a number of searches in the local area.

'We're keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed three men acting suspiciously in the area this morning.'

Two sledgehammers left behind at the scene have been seized for forensic examination.

Northgate Street was closed for just over an hour following the attempted smash and grab raid, with traffic and pedestrians being diverted.

The three would-be thieves were described as wearing dark clothing and had their faces covered.

They ran towards the Market Place before turning left onto Church Plain while making their escape.

Anyone with information or anyone who witnessed the incident who hasn't already spoken to police should contact DS Joyce at Yarmouth CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Cox and Son, a family-owned and run jewellers founded in 1875, was raided six years ago when robbers, armed with sledgehammers, rushed into the store wearing hoods and masks and smashed a glass cabinet before escaping with watches in a waiting get-away car.

On that occasion, in November 2008 on a Saturday, staff chased the thieves out of the store. A man from the Kent area was later arrested in connection with the theft.