A witness to the robbery of a jewellery store in Chelsea says at least one thief was armed with a machete.

The man, who has asked not to be named, watched on in shock as six people dressed in black targeted luxury jewellers Boodles on Wednesday (August 16) morning.

Police say they used hammers to smash through the counter displays at the Knightsbridge branch of Boodles, before speeding off on mopeds.

One witness says he saw a machete being branded by one of the gang.

He was alerted to the incident after hearing screams and shouts coming from the ground below while he worked on the opposite side of the road on the second floor.

Thieves, with one seen carrying a hammer, leave the store after smashing its counters and taking jewellery

He said the gang had smashed up the shop and then spilled out onto the street at the junction of Sloane Street and Basil Street.

He said: “Members of the public tried to help but they had a machete.”

Video footage filmed at the time shows one of the thieves carrying a holdall and what appears to be a sledgehammer as he gets on a moped and rides pillion away from the scene.

Scotland Yard said no-one was hurt in the robbery, but the witness said: “Everyone was shaken and shocked. Even I was shaking.”

The robbery happened at 10.37am.

A spokesman for the upmarket jewellers said: “The police are handling the situation and Boodles is unable to comment any further.”

The witness added “loads of police officers” and were soon at the store, and were still at the scene at around 3pm.

Police are investigating and have made no arrests.

Anyone with information can call officers on 101 or Tweet @MetCC, or report it anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org

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