Manhunt Launched After Berlin Jewellery Heist

Police in Germany are hunting for four masked men who stormed Berlin's luxury KaDeWe department store before escaping with the loot.

According to Germany’s Bild newspaper the men accessed the department store through a side entrance shortly after 10.20am local time this morning.

With shocked Christmas shoppers looking on, they smashed display cases, grabbing jewellery as they went.

One security guard was attacked with pepper spray.

The men then escaped in what witnesses said was a dark Audi with a Berlin number plate.

German news magazine Der Spiegel said witnesses described the heist as having been "lightning quick".

It is unclear whether the men were armed and reports that shots were fired have not been confirmed.

Bild reported that a total of 11 people were treated at the scene for pepper spray exposure, including a young child. None required hospital treatment.

The value of the stolen jewellery is yet to be established.

KaDeWe, which stands for “department store of the west," is one of Germany’s best-known department stores and is a major tourist destination.

According to KaDeWe's homepage, more than 180,000 customers from all over the world visit the store every day.

Located on the glitzy Kurfuerstendamm avenue, KaDeWe is famous for selling high-end luxury items.