CARRIAGE clocks and 18th Century pocket watches were among £7,000 worth of goods stolen from St James Street Antiques overnight on September 19/20.

Shop owner Jo Catling said the burglars knew what they were looking for and took all the good quality, highly priced items, including jewellery and silver.

'It was a professional job — the shop did not even look like it had been burgled because it was so tidy,' she said. 'The shop specialises in pocket watches and people come from all over the place to look at them — it really knocks you back when something like this happens.'

Mrs Catling said the burglary came three weeks after a window was smashed at the premises so it was a double blow for the business.

'It is a mystery how these criminals got in because the metal gates leading to the shop were locked,' she added. 'Some of the items were quite bulky so there must have been a vehicle involved.'

Anyone who has been offered antiques like those above or has information concerning this crime should contact Okehampton Police on 08705 777444.