Thieves ‘make off with thousands of pounds worth of diamonds by drilling into upmarket jewellers in Hatton Garden-style raid as thousands of half marathon runners stream past’
- Thieves broke into the George Attenborough jewellers on Fleet Street in London
- Believed they drilled into building during landmarks half marathon on Saturday
- Police would not confirm worth of items but said investigation was launched
An ‘elite’ gang of burglars reportedly made off with rings and diamonds worth tens of thousands of pounds from an upmarket jewellers after drilling through a wall in a Hatton Garden-style raid.
Thieves broke into the upmarket George Attenborough and Son Jewellers on Fleet Street in central London at some stage over the weekend, as thousands of runners competing in the London Landmarks Half Marathon thundered past nearby.
It has been suggested the thieves – who are still at large – used drills to gain access to the secure building and complete the raid, reports the Sun.
The thieves are believed to have broken in by hiding in a passageway between the jewellers and the William Hill bookmaker next door.
Supporters cheering on the 13,000 runners could have masked the drilling sounds.
Thieves stole thousands of pounds worth of gems from George Attenborough and Son jewellers on Fleet Street in central London over the weekend
It is believed the ‘elite’ group drilled through the wall to gain access to the upmarket goods. The sounds of supporters cheering on half marathon runners, pictured, nearby may have masked the noise
The firm advertises items worth tens of thousands of pounds such as Cartier diamond rings on its website.
A Scotland Yard statement confirmed members of its Serious and Organised Crime Command were involved in the investigation.
It said: ‘Police were called shortly before 2am on Monday, March 25, to a report of a burglary at a jewellers in Fleet Street.
‘A quantity of jewellery was stolen. An investigation has been launched, led by detectives from the Met’s Flying Squad. Forensic examination work is continuing at the scene.
‘No arrests have been made. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances and identify those responsible.
‘We are not providing further information at present, and we are not disclosing details of what was stolen.
Police would not confirm the worth of the goods stolen, but said an investigation has been launched by the Met’s Flying Squad
‘Any witnesses, or anyone with information, should call police via 101 quoting CAD 451/mar25.
‘To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’
A businessman working above the jewellers told the Sun: ‘They’ve come on the William Hill side, it’s not clear exactly how. They could have been helping themselves all weekend as they are both closed.’
The incident happened a short distance from the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit company, which was raided in April 2015.
Of the £13.6million of property stolen in the heist, only around £4.5million – roughly one-third – has since been recovered by police.
Earlier this month, alarm specialist Michael Seed – known by the moniker Basil – became the 10th person convicted in connection with the crime/
He was found guilty of conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to handle the proceeds after £143,000 worth of gold ingots, gems and jewellery was found in his bedroom.