The Biggest Jewel Heist in Britains History!

Courtesy of the Telegraph.co.uk:


The armed robbers posed as businessmen in suits to steal £40 million worth of rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches - encrusted with almost 1,500 individual diamonds.

The suspects were dropped off at Graff Diamonds in central London in a black taxicab last Thursday afternoon, but the value of their haul had not been disclosed until yesterday. They strolled past a security guard they turned handguns on the staff, briefly taking a woman employee hostage.


Within minutes the suspects had carefully chosen 43 of the store's most precious items, which were placed into a bag, before they escaped across the capital in a relay of three different cars. They fired at least two warning shots as they made their getaway.

The Metropolitan Police Flying Squad are investigating and yesterday released CCTV images of the robbers entering the store, as well as pictures of the stolen jewelery.

The suspects details have been circulated to all ports and airports but police believe they will have organized an escape route and may already have left the country.

Britain’s previous biggest diamond jewelery robbery is believed to be a £23 million raid, which also took place at Graff's, in 2003.

The two men, thought to be Londoners, arrived in a taxi at 4.40pm on August 6 and were only in the New Bond Street jewelers for a matter of minutes.

After being let in through the security doors both men produced handguns and threatened staff. They placed the jewels into a bag before briefly seizing a woman employee hostage.

She was taken outside but released when the raiders made their getaway in a blue BMW, having fired a warning shot above their heads.

Their escape was nearly foiled when the car crashed into a black cab in Dover Street. As the driver and punters from a nearby pub gave chase, one of the men fired another round into the ground to warn them off.

The men then switched to a silver Mercedes, and later again into a black vehicle, possibly a Ford Galaxy or VW Sharan.

It is suspected that the jewels, meanwhile, were transferred to a waiting motorcyclist who was able to escape quickly.

Police believe there were at least two other men who were acting as getaway drivers for three cars.

Detective Chief Inspector Pam Mace from Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad said: “This was a well planned robbery with a number of vehicles used to help the robbers escape. These men are extremely dangerous and fired at least two shots in busy London streets as they made their getaway.

“Someone knows who these men are, they would undoubtedly have spoken about it beforehand or boasted about it afterwards. I would urge anyone who recognizes them, knows the whereabouts of the jewelery or has any other information to contact us.”

The first suspect is described as white, about 30, with a slim build, dark hair with a well-combed side parting, light stubble on his face and 5ft 10 - 6 ft tall. He was wearing a Grey suit, white shirt and tie.

The second is described as black, also in his 30s, 6ft tall, more well built than the first suspect, and with very short Afro hair. He was also wearing a Grey suit, white shirt and tie.

Detectives believe the raiders targeted the most expensive items in the store. One officer said: “They knew exactly what they were looking for and we suspect they already have a market for the jewels. “

The suspects details have been circulated to all ports and airports but police believe they would have organized an escape route and may already have left the country.