Masked axe-wielding gang smash truck into high-street jewellers in broad daylight

This is the shocking moment an axe-wielding masked gang smashed a truck into a jewellers on a busy Birmingham road in broad daylight.

Footage caught by passers-by showed the group plough a large highways maintenance truck into Danyaal Jewellers on Ladypool Road in Sparkbrook, Birmingham.

The men, covered by balaclavas, reversed the vehicle into the front of the shop at around midday on Thursday, leaving a trail of broken glass surrounding the store.

One of the group, dressed all in black, was seen running down the street clutching an axe, as thick plumes of smoke began spouting onto the busy street.

The armed man was then recorded goading an onlooker who was filming from a grocery store across the road.

He aggressively shouted: "What, what, what, get the f*** in the shop, get in your shop" before shop workers discussed whether anyone had called the police.

The unidentified man then stepped onto the rubble left behind from the group's actions, appearing to wait for his accomplices.

Members of the public could be heard trying to take down the registration of the vehicle as the axeman suddenly emerged from the smashed-up shop front.

He raced down the street, with concerned owners of neighbouring shops peering out from their stores while some called the police.

The gang piled into the van before speeding off from the scene, debris falling into the street from the roof as they fled.

It was not yet known how much, if anything, was stolen from the ram raid.

The West Midlands Police have been contacted for comment.