Four masked men armed with a sledgehammer and a crowbar smashed their way into a Walsall town centre jeweller’s, police revealed today.

A customer going into the New House of Gold was attacked.

Meanwhile, terrified owner Shahjahan Ahmad fled fearing for his safety.

Before escaping Mr Ahmad managed to press the panic alarm button which caused smoke to spread into the shop in Bradford Street.

The would-be robbers fled empty-handed in what was the second jeweller’s to be targeted in the town in just a matter of days.

The terrifying ordeal took place at just before 5pm on Friday as the customer entered the shop.

As he went towards the second security buzzer door Mr Ahmad said a Black BMW pulled up and the four men wearing balaclavas jumped out and tried to get inside.

The 33-year-old said: “They pulled the customer out the way and tried to smash the front door using a big sledgehammer. I immediately pressed the panic attack button and escaped out the back.”

The shop which sells 22 carat gold items such as rings and earrings is currently closed for repairs. Anyone with information is urged to call CID on 0345 113 5000.