A pedestrian was hurt after a group of armed raiders broke into a jewellers in up-market Regent Street on Monday night (October 9).
The thieves took high value items before speeding away from the scene on scooters, one of which then struck a pedestrian.
The raid happened at Mappin and Webb jewellery store and is being investigated by the Met Police’s Flying Squad.
Officers were called at 7.18pm and said the assailants forced entry into the shop armed with an arsenal of weapons, including a machete, hammer, axe and bats.
Criminals behind bars
Three suspects are believed to have entered the premises, breaking into display cabinets and stealing jewellery items.
The trio then left the store to join three accomplices, who waited outside on revved-up scooters throughout the raid.
The group then left in three separate directions.
One pair fled in the direction of Oxford Street before their scooter was involved in a collision with a pedestrian.
The female pedestrian was not seriously injured and did not require hospital treatment.
A cyclist also swerved to avoid the scooter and crashed into a wall but suffered only minor injuries, said police.
There have been no reports of any other injuries.
The scooter involved in the collision was later found abandoned.
Another scooter was later found abandoned outside the store where the original burglary took place.
Both have been seized for forensic testing.
'Targeted raid'
Detective Constable Matt Hollands said: “We are following up a number of active leads on this live investigation.
“This raid was targeted and lasted only a few minutes. My team are busy collecting witness accounts and recovering vital CCTV footage of the burglary at the store and of the suspects leaving the scene.
“We know that the group panicked and rode recklessly in different directions to escape. Thankfully no members of the public were seriously injured.
“I’d like to appeal for those who saw the individuals involved, either at the scene or fleeing, to get in touch with police and send us any images and footage that they have.”
DC Hollands said the suspects wore dark motorcycle clothing and black motorcycle helmets, and that a weapon was recovered at the scene.
There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Flying Squad on 0208 785 8655 or call Crimestoppers charity anonymously via 0800 555 111, or visit the website.
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