A man was arrested after attempting to rob Pascoes Jewellers in Eastgate Shopping Mall this morning.

A shopper who was walking past the mall said a woman came out of the centre distressed and told him what had happened.

She saw mall security and members of the public running after the offender, who was carrying a hammer.

Other shoppers looked quite shaken up, the man said.

A police spokesperson said a person was taken into custody following a smash-and-grab incident inside Christchurch’s Eastgate Mall at around 9:45 am.

“The alleged offender attempted to break an external window of a store with an object, but was unsuccessful. Members of the public observed the suspect’s movements while calling the police.

“Police units arrived at the scene, and the suspect was quickly located and apprehended by our staff.”

Police inquiries are ongoing with charges being considered, the spokesperson said.

A Pascoes spokesman said they didn’t want to comment.

An Eastgate spokeswoman said they couldn’t comment as it was a police matter but confirmed the mall was still open.