MASKED offenders threatened staff and customers during a Stow-on-the-Wold robbery.

Police are investigating the incident in which money and jewellery were stolen.

The incident happened on Saturday, December 1, on the East side of the Square in Stow-on-the-Wold.

A number of masked offenders approached via the lanes to the rear of the business.

The offenders then smashed the rear patio window before threatening those inside in the building, stealing money, jewellery and a Japanese sword.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 331 of December 1.

Police advise to always keep jewellery safe, to prevent it being stolen.

Advice includes to always lock the doors and windows of houses when homeowners and occupants leave.

When not wearing jewellery keep it somewhere safe and out of sight.

People are advised to invest in a lockable concealed safe, for a home and use it to put valuable items away, or to hire a security box. People are also advised to invest in a burglar alarm and remember to turn it on, and to insure the jewellery.

Owners should photographer their valuable pieces and upload them to the Immobilise website so, if they are lost or stolen, there is a better chance of police returning them back to the owner. It also advised to security mark pieces with methods such as Smartwater or SelectaDNA, and to be discreet with jewellery in crowded, public places ensuring people don't become a target.