POLICE hunting for jewel thieves who robbed a city store have released new CCTV images of the suspects.

Two men dressed as police forensic officers walked into James Usher and Son jewellers in Guildhall Street, Lincoln on Saturday and made off with £80,000 worth of jewellery.

They threatened shop staff with a hammer before taking gold and diamond items and escaping in a green Vauxhall Astra.

They drove to Lindum Terrace where the men and their driver abandoned the car and set it on fire before fleeing across the Arboretum to a white van.

Now investigating officers think the CCTV footage, showing the men in the Arboretum, could be significant in tracking the robbers down.

Previous footage released by police came from inside the store while the men were wearing the forensic suits.

But the new images show the two men in civilian clothes ahead of the robbery.

Detective sergeant Pete Grayson said: "We think the footage is significant. We think it shows the two guys subsequently seen in suits before they put the suits on – that is quite interesting. They are wearing quite distinctive clothing. The footage is in the area of Arboretum prior to the offence."

All of the forensic work relating to the crime scene and surrounding the burned-out getaway car is complete with the results expected on Monday.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact police on 0300 11110300.

Alternatively, anyone who believes they may know something significant can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.