Smash and grab gang steal watches worth thousands in raid on Regent Street jewellers

 
Mappin & Webb on Regent Street was targeted in a raid Picture: Nigel Howard
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An armed gang escaped with thousands of pounds worth of designer watches in a rush-hour raid at a West End jewellery shop.

The gang of three men smashed glass display cases, snatching around £80,000 worth of goods including Cartier watches, in front of terrified staff at the Regent Street branch of Mappin and Webb.

The first raider entered the shop wearing a black suit and trilby, a curly blonde wig and make-up to disguise his face. He produced a handgun, which he pointed at the security guard.

He was followed by two hooded men, with faces covered, who smashed display cabinets with claw hammers

Damaged cases in the aftermath of the raid Picture: Nigel Howard

The attack follows a raid by a gang of six sledgehammer-wielding robbers on mopeds, who stole a “substantial amount” of jewellery and watches from the Dorchester hotel in Park Lane early on Tuesday morning.

Flying Squad detectives were today investigating any potential links between the two attacks.

A forensic officer gathers clues inside the shop Picture: Nigel Howard

Izabela Ropela, deputy manager at shoe shop Russell and Bromley near the Mappin and Webb store, told the Standard: “The street was busy at the time and everyone just stopped and stared as they ran off. The whole thing was over in seconds.

“I think they were all white guys in their twenties.” One shop worker, who would not be identified, said that staff were “distressed and upset” by the raid at 5.45pm yesterday.

Valeria Nateri, 29, a barista at Pret A Manger in Regent Place, said: “My colleague... saw men running away with bags with their faces covered.”

Forensic teams last night scoured the shop — the firm’s flagshop store — and collected fingerprints from the glass cases inside.

Police and a forensic officer at the scene on Regent Street Picture: Nigel Howard

Staff could be seen checking window displays for missing items.

A Met Police spokesman said: “Police were alerted at around 5.45pm to a smash and grab at a jewellers’ shop in Regent Street. Suspects made off from the scene on foot. We are not aware of any injuries.”

Police have charged a 34-year-old man with the theft of a handbag from a woman who was run over as the Dorchester raiders fled on mopeds on Tuesday. She was pickpocketed as she lay in the road.

Craig Edwards, of Great Chapel
Street, Soho, is due to appear before Westminster magistrates today charged with theft.

Police are still hunting for six men suspected of carrying out the raid.

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