In the early hours of Tuesday morning, the usually quiet seaside town of Bognor Regis was rocked by a daring and destructive ram-raid that left a local jewellery shop in ruins and authorities scrambling for answers. According to BBC Sussex, the incident occurred at Clayden & Co jewellers, nestled in The Arcade, at approximately 2:15 a.m. GMT on November 11, 2025. In a matter of mere minutes, thieves made off with jewellery valued at thousands of pounds, leaving behind a trail of shattered glass, twisted metal, and unanswered questions.
For Roger Clayden, the shop’s owner, the night unfolded in a blur of chaos and disbelief. "The thieves smashed in the shutters, as well as all the cabinets inside, and the whole thing took less than four minutes," he recounted to BBC Sussex. The efficiency and speed of the raid were as shocking as the destruction itself; the criminals seemed to know exactly what they were after and wasted no time in making their escape.
The method of entry was as brazen as the act itself. Inspector David Bulger of Sussex Police explained, "Thieves forced entry into The Arcade via the High Street, but damage was also caused at the entrance in Belmont Street." The dual points of damage indicate a level of planning and force that is rarely seen in such crimes in this otherwise peaceful corner of West Sussex.
Witnesses in the area awoke to the sight of a cordoned-off row of shops, with metal shutters brutally torn from their frames. The image, captured by photographer Eddie Mitchell and shared by BBC, stands as a stark reminder of the vulnerability even the most established local businesses can face. For many residents, the sight of Clayden & Co’s battered storefront was both shocking and deeply unsettling.
One of the more dramatic twists in the unfolding investigation centers on the getaway vehicle. Sussex Police believe the thieves used a black Range Rover Evoque to carry out the raid. Not long after the theft, this vehicle was found set alight near the A29 at Slindon—a common tactic among organized criminals seeking to destroy evidence and hinder police tracking efforts. The burning of the vehicle adds a layer of calculated ruthlessness to the crime, suggesting the perpetrators were not amateurs but rather individuals with experience in high-stakes theft.
Authorities wasted no time in responding to the scene. Officers quickly established a perimeter, and the investigation began in earnest. Inspector Bulger made a public appeal: "We are appealing for witnesses or anyone in the area with relevant information such as CCTV, doorbell, mobile phone or dashcam footage to come forward. Officers will remain at the scene while this matter is investigated." The plea for digital evidence underscores the increasing role that technology plays in modern policing, with personal devices and home security cameras now serving as crucial tools in piecing together the movements of suspects before, during, and after such incidents.
For local business owners and residents alike, the raid has sparked a mixture of fear, frustration, and solidarity. Clayden & Co is a well-known fixture in The Arcade, and its sudden victimization has sent ripples through the community. The speed and violence of the attack have left many wondering about the security of other small businesses in the area. Some have begun reviewing their own security measures, while others are calling for increased police patrols and more robust protections for vulnerable storefronts.
While ram-raids are not unheard of in the United Kingdom, they remain relatively rare in towns like Bognor Regis. The method—a vehicle used to smash through barriers and gain rapid access to a target—typically results in significant property damage and leaves little time for police to respond before the perpetrators vanish. In this case, the fact that the entire operation lasted less than four minutes is a testament to the thieves’ preparation and audacity. Such crimes often require inside knowledge or at least careful reconnaissance, raising questions about whether the raiders had scoped out Clayden & Co in advance or received tips about its vulnerabilities.
The destruction left behind at Clayden & Co is not only material but emotional. For Roger Clayden and his staff, the shop represents years of hard work and dedication. The loss of valuable inventory is compounded by the sense of violation and uncertainty that now hangs over the business. Insurance may eventually cover some of the losses, but the psychological impact—on both the owners and the wider community—will linger far longer.
As officers continue their investigation, the public’s role becomes ever more important. Inspector Bulger’s call for witnesses and digital evidence is more than a routine request; it’s a recognition that, in today’s interconnected world, the eyes and ears of ordinary citizens can make the difference between an unsolved crime and a successful prosecution. Anyone with information, no matter how trivial it may seem, is urged to contact Sussex Police or share footage from the night of the raid.
Meanwhile, the discovery of the torched Range Rover Evoque near Slindon raises additional questions. Was this vehicle stolen for the sole purpose of the raid? Are there links to other recent crimes in the region? Police are undoubtedly exploring these angles, searching for patterns that might connect this incident to broader criminal networks operating in the South of England.
The timing of the raid—early on a Tuesday morning, when the streets are deserted and most people are asleep—suggests a calculated effort to minimize the risk of confrontation or immediate detection. Yet, despite these precautions, the thieves left behind a web of clues: damaged shopfronts, a burnt-out vehicle, and, perhaps most importantly, the digital footprints that modern criminals so often overlook.
For now, Bognor Regis is left to reckon with the aftermath of a crime that shattered more than just glass and metal. The raid on Clayden & Co has become a rallying point for local residents, a reminder of both the risks faced by small businesses and the resilience of communities in the face of adversity. As the investigation continues, the hope remains that those responsible will be brought to justice—and that the town’s sense of safety will soon be restored.
