Smash and grab at Melbourne jewellers

Up to five masked men armed with hammers have stormed a Melbourne jewellery store and stole a cash register and jewellery.

The men smashed the front window of the shop in Niddrie just before 4.30pm on Friday and stole a quantity of jewellery and a cash register.

They then fled the scene in a black car.

A witness from the barber shop next door tried to chase the thieves but was threatened with a hammer.

"I heard the lady yelling inside. I tried to stop them but they ran after me with the hammers," the witness told Seven News.

No one was injured during the robbery, which is believed to be the second on the store in a month.