Armed jewellery thieves in terrifying daylight raid on Cartier store

Three men wearing balaclavas smashed through the front window of Cartier in Sloane Street at 5.15pm yesterday.  The gang then threatened staff as they stole items from display cabinets.

As they fled, one of the attackers dropped a gun, and two sledgehammers were also dumped in the flagship branch.

Raid: The scene outside Cartier in Sloane Street after thieves smashed windows with pick axes

The gang then sped off in a dark-coloured car which was later abandoned.

It is believed a number of expensive necklaces were stolen but police said they were waiting for more details before they could estimate the value of the jewellery taken.  A spokesman for Scotland Yard said no one was hurt in the attack.

Jewellery and designer clothing stores in Bond Street and Sloane Street have traditionally been the main targets of motorbike gangs.  The thieves typically smash through glass windows with sledgehammers and grab as many items as they can in raids lasting only a few minutes.

Weapon: A gun lays on the ground outside the Sloane Street store

Smash: Robbers used sledgehammers to smash the shop's window