Police are appealing for witnesses and information after four top of the range iPhones worth a total of almost £2,700 were stolen in Skipton.

The thieves cut the phones from the security stand in the o2 shop on Sheep Street at 4.28pm yesterday.

A group of three men entered the store and carried out the theft in the space of 10 seconds.

Two of the three suspects entered the shop and walked straight to the central stand for display phones. One suspect cut the security cable of four display model iPhones from the stand using a pair of pliers and left the phones on the stand.

The second suspect then picked up the phones and concealed them into the front of his hooded top. The first suspect then cut free a further two phones whilst the third suspect stands blocking the doorway observing the staff.

Once the phones were all cut free all three men were seen to run out of the shop and get into a vehicle, possibly a Black Peugeot, which drove off at speed up the high street.

It's reported that the phone security alarms were sounding whilst the suspects made off. This appears to be a pre-planned theft by the group.

The phones stolen are an iPhone 6, IMEI 353289070381456; an iPhone 6s IMEI 358351062590893; an iPhone 7 IMEI 359202073929209; and an iPhone 7+ IMEI 359217070865727 to the total value of £2698.00.

Two of the suspects are described as white, approximately 20-30 years old, both men were wearing tracksuits and black ‘deer stalker’ style hats. The third suspect was wearing a dark baseball cap, and a distinguishing dark coloured long sleeved top with light brown patches on the shoulders and upper arm, he is of stocky build.

North Yorkshire Police are requesting the public’s assistance to help identify and locate the suspects.

They are appealing for information from anyone who comes into contact with the stolen phones.

"The phones have been taken with a solid white block attached to the back case of each phone; if removed the phones will be obviously damaged," a spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said. 

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have details of a black vehicle seen driving through Skipton with the boot lid up at around 4:30pm immediately after the theft took place; this vehicle is possibly a black Peugeot 206.

Police urge local retailers to check their CCTV between 4.20pm and 4.40pm on Thursday 1 December.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact 101, select option 2, and ask for Thomas Bacon or email thomas.bacon@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12160217092.