POLICE are appealing for witnesses after the brazen theft of a diamond ring from a Petersfield jewellers.

The theft from Glynn Boyden Jewellers in the High Street happened at about 2pm on Thursday, November 26. The man stole the ring and left the shop unnoticed.

Police say the ring was valued at about £9,500, and the incident is being linked to a similar theft which took place later the same afternoon in Chichester.

At about 3pm a man walked into Timothy Roe Fine Jewellers in South Street and asked to look at the most expensive ring on display, valued at about £29,500.

He offered a diamond ring in his possession in part exchange for the near flawless, single stone platinum ring.

He said next he would pay less than the asking price for the ring, and then picked it up and ran out of the store.

Shop staff described the robber, who was about 6ft, as “cocky and confident.”

One staff member said he offered to pay £28,000 for the ring. She added: “He was confident, but he was also shaking loads.”

Police have described the man as of medium build, white, aged between 45 and 55. He was wearing glasses, a tartan trilby, a black coat and a striped scarf.

A police spokesman said: “We think the two incidents could be linked and our investigation is on going.”

An image of the man can be viewed on the Sussex Police website at: www.sussex.police.uk

Witnesses or anyone with information about either theft, are asked to ring 101 or the Crimestoppers Hotline on 0800 555111, quoting crime reference number 44150411225.