Police investigating the jewellery robbery at Deacons and Sons, in Marlborough High Street yesterday (Tuesday), have thanked members of the public for their help in detaining three men, who are now in custody at Gablecross Police Station, in Swindon.
The incident took place shortly before 9.45am when a number of men entered the jewellers and started smashing display cabinets and grabbing items of jewellery.
The men then got into a waiting vehicle and sped off towards Aldbourne. This car was then set alight in the Free’s Avenue area of Marlborough.
A second vehicle, a black Seat Leon, then headed towards the direction of Swindon at speed, was in collision with two vehicles on the A419 close to the Great Western Hospital.
The occupants of this vehicle then ran off into the wooded area close to the hospital.
Chief Inspector Keith Ewart of Swindon Operations at Wiltshire Police told Marlborough News Online: “Firstly, I would like to thank each member of the public who has taken the time to contact Wiltshire Police over the last 24 hours with information regarding this incident.
“Thanks to the information provided by these witnesses, we have been able to piece together what has likely happened.
“Secondly, I would like to reassure the Marlborough community that a robust police investigation is underway and there will be an increased police presence in the town for the next couple of days.”
He added: “Thankfully, incidents of this nature are rare in Wiltshire but, as we saw yesterday, a prompt and thorough response from Wiltshire Police saw three males quickly detained in connection with this incident.
“I would still urge anyone with information on this incident to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.”
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How the arrival of the railway created the firm of Deacon & Son Deacon & Son (Swindon) Ltd, which has four branches, including the one in Marlborough and another in Royal Wootton Bassett, has a fascinating history. It was founded as a jewellers, watch and clock makers by George Deacon in 1848 and remains a family run business now in its sixth generation. The catalyst for bringing the name of Deacon to Swindon was undoubtedly the arrival of the Great Western Railway. As an ambitious 26 year old George Deacon, having moved from his home town of Westbury, realised the need for time-keeping in a fast growing town of the industrial revolution. The business was able to expand, winning one of the timing contracts for the Great Western Railway on the line between Paddington and Swansea from the early 1850s until 1893. In these early days George Deacon was reliant on obtaining diamonds, precious and semi-precious stones from South America, in particular from Brazil where an agent was employed to bring back goods to England. George was joined in the business by his nephews, Hubert and Joshua, with Hubert’s entrepreneurial ability quickly becoming recognised. During the period of 1860 to 1890 the business expanded, producing a variety of time pieces, including long case clocks, trunk dial clocks, carriage clocks, pocket watches and mercurial barometers. Many of these time pieces still exist to this day and are still serviced in the company’s workshops. |
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