RAM raiders who broke into a jewellery shop in Tetbury ended up empty handed and crashed their car near Cowley.

The attempted burglars broke through the door of Taylor Black England, a designer jewellery shop in Market Place, at 3am this morning (Wednesday, June 29).

It is understood that they used a three-metre wooden pole and a crow bar to break into the shop.

They fled shortly afterwards when they were disturbed by shop owner Philippa Taylor who came into the shop to see what was going on.

According to police, the culprits later crashed their car near Cowley, resulting in one male being sent to hospital and the others being arrested.

Mrs Taylor, 36, who lives in the shop, said: "I heard glass smash and wondered what it was. I thought maybe it was a cabinet falling off the wall.

"I came in through the door into the shop and I don't think they were expecting to see me.

"They had only been in a short amount of time, then left in two cars. I saw one man, he had a scarf wrapped around his head like a balaclava. 

"I don't know how many people there were, but there were more than two."

The ram raiders did not manage to take anything nor damage the front windows of the shop.

Mrs Taylor estimated that the damage to her door would cost about £1000.

She added: "I am saddened because I am a small business and I haven't even been in Tetbury for a year.

"I was shocked to be confronted with, and I've got a three-year-old daughter."

Police tweeted today: "#Ramraid 3am in Tetbury. Thieves disturbed and fled empty handed. Car later crashed near Cowley. One male to hospital, other to cells #whichwasnice..."