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£1m Ocean's Eleven-style heist
Rob Singh, Crime Reporter11 Dec 2007
Robbers disguised as police stole up to £1million worth of computer equipment from a data centre with "state-oftheart" security in a daring Ocean's Eleven-style robbery.
The bogus officers, who even used an alsatian to look like a police dog, talked their way into the north London centre by convincing guards they were investigating reports of intruders on the roof.
They tied up the guards and are thought to have made off with the hardware, including high-value circuit boards.
Global telecoms and IT firm Verizon Business had boasted of its "state-oftheart" security at the centre. The company, whose customers include investment banks such as JPMorgan, is one of the biggest telecommunications firms in the US and has recently been looking to make inroads into the British and European markets.
Police sealed off the centre in St Pancras Way, King's Cross, after the raid on Thursday night. None of the guards was injured but one was treated at the scene for shock.
On its website, Verizon states that security at its data centre includes a round-the-clock uniformed guard service with interior and exterior closed circuit television surveillance and electronic access at all entrances, including biometric hand scanners and electronic keys.
In a statement, the company said: "Verizon Business services remained operational during this period. Verizon Business continues to work with all appropriate groups in undertaking a thorough investigation of the incident. It is not appropriate to comment further at this time."
The Met has confirmed that the robbery was of "high value" but it is not thought that any sensitive information was stolen.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a burglary at a telecommunications centre on Thursday. Local officers were called by a member of staff at 10.06pm to the business premises in St Pancras Way.
"At this stage, it is believed that three to five male suspects, dressed as police officers, gained entry to the property at about 9pm by claiming to a member of staff they were investigating reports of people on the roof of the building.
"Five members of staff were tied up while the burglary took place. They were two women in their twenties and thirties and three men aged between 40 and 50.
"The members of staff were not injured during the incident. One victim was treated at the scene for shock by an ambulance crew.
"Upon the police's arrival, it was established that computer hardware had been stolen, including micro-system motherboards. We do not believe that data was stolen at this stage. We are not prepared to discuss the estimated value of the stolen property."
In October last year, equipment was stolen from Easynet's main data centre in Brick Lane, east London, after burglars apparently used valid swipe cards to get in.
In 2001 hit movie Ocean's Eleven and its sequels, starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, teams of audacious professional thieves use disguises to overcome state-of-the-art security at Las Vegas casinos.
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Reader views (1)
More state of the ark, than state of the art...
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 11/12/2007 15:37
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