THE clues needed to crack one of the biggest heists in Oxford city centre could lie in Europe.

Exactly eight months since 11 masked men smashed their way into Goldsmith's Jewellers in the Clarendon Centre on New Year's Eve, police have revealed that no arrests have been made and they don't know where the burglars are.

Yesterday, Thames Valley Police announced it had handed over the investigation to West Midlands police force after months of "pursuing lines of enquiry" in an attempt to catch the culprits.

The force said it was no longer leading the case due to other similar raids in Lancashire, Staffordshire, Hampshire, Essex and London.

Detectives still do not know where the burglars are from and have not recovered the watches understood to be worth thousands.

Former Oxford city police sergeant Geoff Rose, who was in the force from 1958 until 1978 said he could not recall a raid in his time as "dramatic" as this one.

The 84-year-old Kennington resident said he could remember a "smash and grab" in Turl Street in the 60s, adding it was clear the Clarendon Centre raid was "well planned".

The author of a Pictorial History of the Oxford City Police added: "Policing has changed a lot since my days, but we used to patrol the streets and I still say that the definition of being a constable is prevention and protection of a crime.

"If you saw a policeman, you knew he was there. It's very difficult, they haven't got a lot to go on. There is no substitute to for boots on the ground, I'm sorry about that.

"It's all change and I appreciate times change. They will still be working on it, it's just a question of getting information.

"Policing has changed, but the basic principles have not."

CCTV footage of the raid was released in January, which showed thousands of pounds worth of watches being snatched from the jewellers and appealed for witnesses at the scene.

Detectives were lift scratching their heads as to whereabouts of the burglars who sledge-hammered their way in.

Described as one of the most sophisticated break-ins, the gang fixed steel wires to prevent vehicle access at the ends of Queen Street and shielded their faces with umbrellas.

A spokeswoman for the Clarendon Centre said: "This robbery was clearly executed by a highly organised gang, which is always going to be difficult to protect against."

A section of the centre was cordoned off for a couple of days after the incident on December 31 while a team of forensics swept the area for clues.

Thames Valley Police refused to release the exact value of watches stolen.

Det Insp Jim Holmes previously told the Oxford Mail it was a "significant crime".

Despite the force appealing for witnesses who were captured on camera watching the heist, nobody came forward.