RAIDERS escaped with gems worth more than £200,000 after breaking into a jewellers' shop in the region.

The gang struck at the goldsmiths shop on James Street, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, at about 9.25pm on Tuesday.

Officers arrived at the scene after being alerted by a passer-by, who heard the burglar alarm and saw several torch lights flashing inside.

Before he went to the police station, the man approached the shop but was told by one of the burglars to go away.

The raider had a Yorkshire accent and it is believed he was one of possibly two or three others involved.

The gang forced their way into the rear of the shop, which is accessed by an alleyway that leads on to the Market Place.

They smashed display cabinets containing the jewellery before making off in an unknown direction.

Closed-circuit television showed a medium-sized white van parked in James Street at the time of the burglary, but police inquiries have since eliminated it from the investigation.

Acting Detective Sergeant Andy Wardman urged witnesses or people with information about the robbery to come forward.

He said: "The burglary took place at about 9.25pm, so it is highly likely there were people walking nearby or motorists driving in the area.

"If you saw anything suspicious around this time, then I would urge you to contact the police immediately."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Harrogate CID on 0845 6060 247.