Ramraiders strike designer store

Several robberies in recent months have followed the same style - the shop front smashed to gain access and the criminals escaping on scooters.

In the latest raid, more than £50,000 of designer handbags were stolen from Larizia in St John's Wood High Street.

About 70 bags, including the latest designs from Chloé, Marc Jacobs and Balenciaga were stolen. In September last year, the Golders Green branch of Larizia was raided three times in 10 days, costing an estimated £80,000 in damage and loss of stock.

A Met spokeswoman said: "We are aware of a number of incidents across London where suspects on mopeds and scooters smash shop fronts and steal high-value goods."

Officers from different parts of London are pooling their intelligence in the belief that many of the raids are linked to a single group of criminals. In June, goods including two alligator-skin handbags worth £7,500 each were stolen in a smashand-grab raid at Roger Vivier in Knightsbridge. The robbers smashed their way into the shop with a sledgehammer before escaping on a motorcycle.

Weeks later, a gang of about 12 people used a sledgehammer to smash into Roger Pope & Partners in the West End and stole about 250 pairs of designer sunglasses, some worth £400.

Michael Harris, who manages the latest Larizia store to have been robbed, fears more raids and said the trend of smash-and-grab incidents showsno sign of abating. "There is a spate of these raids in London and they are likely to continue. Ramraiding is the name of the game just now," he said. "All the designer stores are stocking the hot brands, so we are targets. It's an easy crime and people have no fear about what will happen to them if they are caught."

Boutique owners say small items such as handbags are being targeted because they are easier to sell than jewellery.

Instantly recognisable signature bags can be sold over the internet or at markets.

"It's easy money to turn around," Mr Harris said, adding: "The more these raids are successful, the more it encourages others."