A man who was part of an armed moped gang that robbed a Brent jewellers has admitted his role in the crime in court.

Lookman Shekoni, 24, of Josephine Avenue, Lambeth, pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court on Monday (September 28) to robbery after being caught by passers-by at the scene, according to police.

Police are appealing for information about seven other suspects involved in the smash-and-grab robbery in Kingsbury Road, which saw up to £400,000 worth of jewellery stolen.

Detective Inspector Scott Hartley said: "Shekoni was pulled off his moped while trying to flee the scene by members of the public appalled at what was taking place in their community.

"While we would never encourage people to get involved directly in this way, I would like to commend the brave actions of passers-by that led to Shekoni being promptly arrested.

“They acted with little regard for their own safety, intent on catching those who had carried out such a brazen robbery in broad daylight.

"The evidence against Shekoni was overwhelming and he had little choice but to plead guilty.

"Enquiries continue to trace the other suspects and we are keen to hear from anyone with information."

According to Met Police, on Monday September 7 at 2pm, four mopeds, with two riders wearing crash helmets on each, pulled up on the pavement outside the Jewellery Gallery shop.

Three of the suspects stayed with the vehicles while one stood outside the shop armed with an axe to scare off anyone who might try to intervene, police said. The rest of the suspects forced their way inside the shop with a large metal ram and used hammers and axes to threaten staff members.

They then smashed all the displays and removed the Indian and Iranian jewellery inside, police added, placing it in large laundry bags. The robbers then ran out of the shop and got back onto the mopeds.

By this stage, a large crowd of people had gathered outside and members of the public started to close in on the suspects, throwing various objects to try to knock them off the mopeds.

As the suspects made off up Kingsbury Road, one of the mopeds was surrounded and the riders were pushed off by the crowd.

Shekoni, who was a passenger, punched a man in the face but was detained by the crowd until police arrived and arrested him.

A significant amount of jewellery was recovered from the scene and handed back to the shop owner. However, items valued at between £300,000 and £400,000 remain outstanding, with £50,000 damage caused to the premises.

Anyone with information about the remaining suspects should call the Flying Squad on 020 8785 8655 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Shekoni will be sentenced on Monday November 2 for the robbery as well as a separate incident - a night-time burglary at an opticians in St John's Wood High Street on August 14 where £20,000 of designer glasses were stolen.