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Motorcycle raiders grab jewels from Harvey Nicks
Justin Davenport11 May 2009
Raiders struck at Harvey Nichols' store in Knightsbridge for the first time today.
Six men used sledgehammers to smash glass doors at its Sloane Street entrance before snatching tens of thousands of pounds of jewellery.
Three men armed with hammers broke display cases at the in-store
Garrard boutique as three others waited outside on high-powered motorcycles.
The gang struck at 1.30am before speeding off down Brompton Road towards Hyde Park Corner.
They are thought to be part of a “Fagin's Kitchen” group of about 50 loosely connected individuals, mainly teenagers.
They have struck dozens of times in the past months and are thought to have stolen more than £4 million of goods in the past year alone.
Last week masked men ransacked the Dinny Hall jewellery store in Upper Street, Islington, but fled empty-handed when challenged by an off-duty police officer returning from court.
Handbag designer Anya Hindmarch told of her frustration after her stores were targeted last week for the sixth time.
Raiders smashed into her shop in Pont Street on Monday, escaping with goods valued at £45,000.
She told the Standard today: “It is so infuriating. It seems as though we are a bit too popular in gangland. It must be hard for the police. Apparently they came very quickly and are always very helpful but there is not much they can do if the thieves have already left.
“The thieves were wearing helmets so the 16 witnesses couldn't be of much help, but they saw five men go in the window, pull up a footstool and climb in and out with as many bags as they could carry.
“They left the sledgehammer on the pavement with a bag that they couldn't manage to carry.”
The gangs — all believed to be based around the Islington area — have been targeting West End fashion stores and jewellers for several years.
As stores have increased their security measures, the raiders have even taken to operating during opening hours. They have also switched to softer targets such as luxury hotel boutiques.
Last Friday two men were arrested in Camden after their moped crashed during a police pursuit. Officers recovered a sledgehammer at the scene.
A Harvey Nichols spokeswoman said: “We are co-operating fully with police in their inquiries.
“This morning's raid was over within a few minutes. A member of the public alerted police, who turned up within five minutes. However, the gang had fled.”
A Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed that a gang of six men had carried out a smash-and-grab raid at the Garrard concession inside the Knightsbridge store.
No arrests have been made.
Reader views (7)
What hope do we have against terrorists if the police can't catch a bunch of teenagers on motorbikes in central london? Pathetic and proves all arguments in favour of our surveillance society are rubbish.
- Bruce, London, 11/05/2009 14:05
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One of the major problems in society is that people do not exercise citizenship and would rather ignore than get involved. The police were more effective when society supported them in their attempts to stop criminal activity.
When we consider, for example, taggers - How many of their family and friends know it is them who deface and ruin our buildings? Child abusers? Families know. Society going to rot is the citizens fault not just the fault of the police, teachers, and social workers.
Next time you see someone dump their Macdonalds waste on the street why not challenge them? If we all did that then the rubbish that is happening in Britain could be slowed down.
- Terry, Hennebont France, 11/05/2009 13:07
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Even my little corner shop has metal shutters, and all they are protecting is Baked Beans, Pot Noodle and dog food. Don't the jewellery department put their stock away at the end of each day?
- Ben Farrell, London, 11/05/2009 12:46
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I hope they read this poor robber his rights, and god forbid if it was the officer that made him crash because you can see a claim for damages on its way, and Max Clifford trying to flog his life story.
- Steve M, London, 11/05/2009 12:24
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The report headline and first paragraph make it seem like it is an every day occurance for these smash and grab gangs to destroy and steal, and that Harvey Nichols was merely in the queue. It should not be an every day occurance! And I applaud Nigel of France for his comments.
- Helen, norwich, 11/05/2009 11:26
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Crime will only increase as the recession continues.
And whats the point of having all those cctv cameras?
- Mario Kempe, london, 11/05/2009 09:50
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' Last week the gang struck at the Dinny Hall jewellery store in Islington but were stopped in their tracks by an off duty police officer returning from court. He challenged the masked men as they ransacked the shop in Upper Street forcing them to flee.
One man was arrested by the officer and members of the public as his motorcycle crashed as they tried to escape.'
Next time you see a load of comments slagging off the police -remember this report .
This is what 99% of people who are in the police are driven by . A strong sense of right and wrong .
Would YOU tackle a gang of robbers , unarmed, without any back up AND not only scare them off- but arrest one of them .
- Nigel, France, 11/05/2009 08:55
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