Two masked men carried out an armed robbery at a jewellery shop in Richmond, south-west London, on Saturday morning, police have confirmed.
The incident occurred on a busy shopping street, with the suspects using a hammer or sledgehammer to smash the front window before entering the store and taking high-value jewellery from display cases.
The Metropolitan Police said that the suspects entered the shop shortly after 10:30am and remained inside for only a short period. Shop staff attempted to intervene during the robbery, but the suspects fled the scene on foot before officers arrived. No serious injuries were reported, and any damage to the surrounding area was limited to the shop frontage and broken glass on the pavement.
Officers responded promptly after receiving reports from members of the public. The area around the shop was cordoned off while police carried out initial enquiries, including taking witness statements and examining the scene for forensic evidence. Detectives have appealed to anyone who may have seen the suspects or captured footage of the incident on mobile phones or CCTV to come forward.
Police confirmed that the suspects remain at large, and an investigation is ongoing. They described the robbery as a targeted incident and have not released details about the value of the stolen items, citing the sensitivity of the investigation. Officers are also reviewing local CCTV and consulting with other law enforcement teams to establish whether the suspects are linked to any similar offences in the wider London area.
The robbery took place in a commercial area that is typically busy on weekends, and several members of the public were present when the incident occurred. Witnesses provided statements to police and some recorded video footage, which authorities are currently reviewing. Police have also asked local businesses in the area to provide any information that could assist in identifying the suspects.
The Metropolitan Police reiterated that public safety remains a priority and encouraged anyone with information about the suspects or the crime to contact them through official channels. They stressed that investigations into armed robberies are treated seriously, with resources dedicated to identifying and apprehending those responsible.
No further details about the suspects’ descriptions or potential motives have been released. Officers have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and have pledged to update the public as more information becomes available.
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