Detectives are hunting for two men following an armed robbery this morning at a Shoeburyness jewellers.
Two balaclava-clad men walked into Andrews Jewellers on West Road shortly after 9:30am and threatened three members of staff with crowbars before stealing a quantity of diamond rings and other items of jewellery.
They then walked out and got into a waiting blue Citroen Picasso which was parked near to the vet surgery on Richmond Avenue.
The vehicle was found near Thorpe Bay Yacht Club on Barrow Sands a short time later.
A police spokesman said: "We think the two men transferred to a saloon car.
"As well as looking for witnesses to the actual robbery, we're keen to hear from people who saw the blue Picasso this morning, before and after the robbery, and those who saw the two men drive off in the transfer car near the Yacht club later on Tuesday morning."
Nobody in the shop was injured during the raid.
Anyone with information in connection with this robbery should contact detectives at Southend police station on 101.
