Police have launched an appeal for information following a robbery at a jewellers.

A gang of five men raided Time Gold Jewellers in The Broadway, Woodford Green, at around noon on Wednesday.

They threatened the owner and made off with cash and jewellery.

He told the Guardian he was not injured.

No arrests have been made.

A Met spokesman said: "No weapons [were] seen or intimated, and there are no reports of any injuries.

"Officers from the Flying Squad based at Barking are investigating.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact them on 0208 345 4226 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

The head chef at nearby Seasons restaurant, 26-year-old Louis Martin, told the Guardian yesterday how he chased the men and managed to catch one of them.

However the thief wriggled free and ran off.

He then climbed into a metallic coloured Vauxhall Corsa car with his companions before speeding from the scene.