Manhunt for machete-wielding moped gang who carried out smash-and-grab raid at luxury central London jewellers

Forensic officers at the scene of the raid
Nigel Howard
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A manhunt was underway today for a machete-wielding moped gang who raided a luxury jewellers and terrified hundreds of shoppers in central London.

Three riders burst into Mappin & Webb jewellery shop in Regent Street and used hammers to smash open glass cases containing high-end jewellery and watches in a three-minute raid at 7.20pm last night.

Witnesses told how the gang armed with bats, machetes and hammers threatened customers and security guards when they tried to set off the alarm.

Terrified shoppers fled into the flagship Tommy Hilfiger store next door fearing a terrorist attack after encountering the knifemen.

Terrified shoppers fled into the flagship Tommy Hilfiger store next door fearing a terrorist attack
Nigel Howard

Three accomplices waited outside on revved-up scooters moped holding baseball bats to keep the gang’s escape route clear.

It is believe one group was tackled by a security guard forcing them to leave their scooter behind and flee on foot.

Another pair fled in the direction of Oxford Street before their moped hit a woman causing her minor injuries.

The gang armed with bats, machetes and hammers threatened customers and security guards
Nigel Howard

A cyclist also swerved to avoid the scooter and crashed into a wall but suffered only minor injuries, police said.

Forensic officers last night examined a black Vespa scooter left behind by the raiders for clues.

Police initially reported that the six suspects fled on one bike. However that was based on a single report from a member of the public which officers said may not have been correct.

A smashed cabinet of luxury watches after the raid
Nigel Howard

Elisa Coassin, 19, was working in Tommy Hilfiger when she heard screams from terrified shoppers fleeing the busy tourist district.

She told the Standard: “There was a stampede of people running towards us. We were so scared. They were coming up to me screaming ‘something’s happening, there is someone with a machete’.

“We closed all the doors and got everyone to the back of the shop.

Six men reportedly smashed open cabinets with a hammer and machete
PA

“Our security managed to lock the doors behind everyone.

“I saw two motorbikes waiting and I think they saw me looking so I just started running away. The whole shop was full of smoke.

Police investigate the incident at the Mappin & Webb store on Regent Street
PA

“I thought it was a terrorist attack when I saw the look on everyone’s faces. I didn’t know what was happening but I knew it was wrong. We guided them to the emergency exit at the back. We are so glad that no one was seriously hurt.”

Ed Kelsey, 34, was refurbishing the HSBC bank opposite the jewellers when he heard the commotion over the road.

Raid: Robbers used a hammer and machete to break into cabinets at Mappin & Webb
reisenderpirat / Twitter

He said: “We heard a lot of shouting and came to the window and saw a couple of mopeds with passengers on the back holding baseball bats shouting and trying to keep people away.

“They must have let a smoke bomb off it was very organised and professional like something out of a heist movie.

“They were in and out in three minutes.

“Everyone was running in all directions but it looked like people were trying to take them on even though they were armed. I don’t think I would have done that – it’s not my house.

“It was a shock that they did it in central London but a bigger shock that they all managed to get away.”

Laura Bolger, a writer, said she fled after spotting one of the raiders wielding a huge weapon.

“Me and my friend were walking down Regent Street and we saw some guys on mopeds. Only when one of them was on the footpath did I think something was wrong. The guy was shouting at someone and then I noticed the knife which was huge, more of a machete. I ran off then.”

Mappin & Webb was founded in 1775 and customers have included Queen of France Marie Antoinette, Grace Kelly and Winston Churchill.

In the Jules Dassin classic 1955 film noir Rififi, a gang execute an ill-fated heist on a Mappin & Webb jeweller’s in Paris.

DC Matt Hollands from the Met’s Flying Squad said there were no arrests following the raid.

He added: “We are following up a number of active leads on this live investigation. This raid was targeted and lasted only a few minutes. My team are busy collecting witness accounts and recovering vital CCTV footage of the burglary at the store and of the suspects leaving the scene.

“We know that the group panicked and rode recklessly in different directions to escape. Thankfully no members of the public were injured. I’d like to appeal for those who saw the individuals involved, either at the scene or fleeing, to get in touch with police and send us any images and footage that they have.

“All the suspects wore dark motorcycle clothing and black motorcycle helmets and a weapon has also been recovered at the scene.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Flying Squad on 0208 785 8655. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111, or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

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