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BBC Presenter's Rolex Snatched in London Gang Robbery
6 Mar
Summary
- BBC presenter Ben Thompson was robbed of his Rolex watch in Mayfair.
- Six attackers targeted Thompson and a friend, stealing two luxury watches.
- The victims reported feeling unsafe and anxious after the violent attack.
BBC Breakfast presenter Ben Thompson has spoken out about feeling unsafe in London following a violent mugging. On the evening of March 11 last year, Thompson and his friend Roja Dove were targeted by a gang of six men in Mayfair. The assailants violently ripped Mr. Thompson's £7,000 Rolex from his wrist and threw Mr. Dove to the ground before stealing his diamond-encrusted Patek Philippe watch, valued at £150,000.
In a victim impact statement, Mr. Thompson described the profound effect the attack has had on his well-being. He reported experiencing constant anxiety, stress, and flashbacks, stating, "I no longer feel safe in London." He added that he is now "nervous and jumpy" when he hears someone approaching him from behind. Mr. Dove echoed these sentiments, expressing that the theft made his hard work feel pointless and significantly altered his daily behavior and perception of London.
Two of the perpetrators, Hocine Boulanouar and Danis Tom-Deter, were identified through CCTV footage and recently sentenced at the Old Bailey. Boulanouar received four years and three months in prison, while Tom-Deter was sentenced to two years and nine months. The judge described the incident as a "very frightening experience on the streets of central London at night." Police are still seeking to identify the other four individuals involved in the robbery.
