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A family-run jewellery business in Newry was ram raided in the early hours of Wednesday morning, police have said.

The incident happened at McWhirter Jeweller's on Hill Street in the city centre shortly after 04:30 GMT.

A silver car reversed into the shutters of the shop multiple times.

A man then got out of the car, pulled the damaged shutters up, entered the shop and stole an amount of money and jewellery. A forensic team is expected to evaluate the scene later.

Police remained at the scene on Wednesday morning with broken glass and twisted metal visible on the footpath behind the cordon.

Speaking on behalf of the McWhirter family, Eamonn Connolly of Newry Business Improvement District, said: "It's pretty disappointing at this time of year - after the floods - and it stresses the need for people to shop local.

"We still don't know the extent of the damage or what was taken but we're hoping forensics will report back. Hopefully it will not be as bad as it could have been."

In October, Newry businesses were devastated after the Newry Canal burst its banks causing flooding which damaged several buildings and ruined shop equipment and stock.