THIS is the moment a young villain armed with a sledgehammer burst into a high street jewellers.

Police have released the CCTV image in a renewed bid to snare the raider, and his accomplice, who bagged eight Rolex watches, worth £45,000.

Moments after this image was captured, the man smashed his way into the haul kept in a glass cabinet in Ernest Jones jewellers as staff looked on in terror.

The Echo told earlier this month how the smash-and-grab robbers pulled up outside the jewellers, in Southend High Street, on a motorcycle.

After grabbing the watches, the raider leapt back on the bike and the pair sped off towards Queens Road.

Since the raid, at 9.10am on Saturday, January 8, detectives have been busy carrying out extensive inquiries, but they have not found the culprits.

Det Con Dave Wood, from Southend CID, said: “This robbery has caused a great deal of distress to the members of staff from the store and I am determined to find those responsible. I am really interested in how these men have disposed of the watches.

“Have you been offered a Rolex? Do you know someone who has got a new Rolex who wouldn’t normally have one?”

Both of the raiders wore motorcycle helmets.

The man who smashed open the glass cabinet was wearing a high-visibility jacket and carrying a holdall.

A spokeswoman for Ernest Jones said: “Our efforts are focused on the welfare of our staff. Thankfully, no members of staff were injured.

“A number of watches were taken, however we do have records of the serial numbers of those products which were taken, so these items will be identified as stolen and reclaimed from anyone who attempts to sell them.”

Witnesses should contact Det Con Wood at Southend CID on 0300 3334444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.