POLICE have confirmed no arrests have ever been made in connection with a pair of raids at a popular department store where moped-riding raiders made off with tens of thousands of pounds worth of handbags.

Fenwick, in Colchester High Street, was targeted twice by burglars last year.

The first raid was almost exactly one year ago and saw two people arrive outside the store in the early hours of the morning.

The pair then used a sledgehammer to break the front glass of Fenwick before stealing

25 Mulberry, 1 DKNY and two Hill and Friends handbags.

Both then left the scene, fleeing towards Maidenburgh Street and the Dutch Quarter.

The bags are estimated to have cost roughly £20,000.

Then in September, another set of crooks on mopeds smashed through the front of the store again.

It is believed they used a concrete slab during the raid.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

They then swiped a number of expensive items which were on display in the window.

That burglary came during a spell when more then 20 businesses, shops and restaurants in the town centre where targeted by crooks which saw police react by launching a special initiative called Operation Ohio.

A number of arrests were made and several people charged for the break-ins, but nobody has ever been arrested in connection with either Fenwick burglary.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We’ve carried out thorough investigations in both of these cases and have explored all lines of enquiry that are available to us at this moment in time.”

Police have said they are not actively investigating the burglaries at the moment but would explore any new leads which did come to light.

Anyone with information should contact Essex Police on 101.

Details can also be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or here.

The Gazette contacted Fenwick for comment but did not receive a response.