Hatton Garden Jewellers Hit by Brazen Smash-and-Grab

Last Thursday, three masked individuals carried out a brazen smash-and-grab at Danesh International Jewellers in London's Hatton Garden. The thieves initially entered the shop by posing as customers. They then proceeded to smash through locked security doors, making off with a significant quantity of high-value watches and jewellery. The robbers also assaulted an elderly staff member, aged in his 70s, and issued threats to area security before fleeing on foot around 5:15 PM. The Metropolitan Police confirmed their Flying Squad is investigating and have increased uniformed and plain-clothes patrols. No arrests have been made.

This incident is notable as Hatton Garden, renowned as London's diamond district and historically under the influence of the Adams family, has largely been spared such direct targeting. The Clerkenwell Crime Syndicate, also known as the Adams family, has long been associated with maintaining order through less overt methods, deterring petty criminals. This recent raid contrasts with a major 2015 heist where older criminals stole approximately £25 million in gold and jewels from a safety deposit company, an event some sources speculated the Adams family might have been involved in orchestrating.

The broader context includes a recent wave of jewellery heists across London. In the past week, other high-end stores in Knightsbridge, Richmond, and Shepherds Bush have been targeted. These incidents involved similar tactics, such as smashing windows, ramming vehicles into entrances, and using motorbikes to facilitate quick getaways. The Metropolitan Police have increased patrols and are actively investigating these incidents, though significant numbers of arrests are yet to be reported.