Gunmen terrorise staff in Marylebone gem shop heist

Published: 28 May 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

STAFF at a Marylebone jewellers were held at gunpoint and forced to help raiders during a terrifying heist, writes Jamie Welham.

Thieves escaped with £125,000 of designer jewellery in broad daylight, smashing cabinets as they fled Kabiri in Marylebone High Street shortly before midday on Sunday.

Police are looking at CCTV footage that shows the two balaclava-clad robbers escaping in a blue van.

The staff in the shop have been sent home for the week to recover from the ordeal.

It is suspected the bespoke pieces were stolen to order, although staff fear the chances of tracing them could be near impossible if they are melted down for the gold.

Victoria Archer, who works at the store, said: “The girls are shaken up and have been sent home to rest. We are carrying out repairs and trying to get back to normal. Police have got the CCTV and we just hope they will be able to find them.”

Nathalie Kabiri said: “We find it interesting that the designer jewellery market is now being infiltrated by crime. It is a reflection on the growing popularity of the designer jewellery niche. Every piece stolen was by designers, exclusive to Kabiri in the UK, and the items were each a one-off and the statement pieces from the collection.”

No arrests have been made and Detective Inspector Jason Prins said: “Police are appealing for witnesses to this crime. If you were in the area at the time or have any information please contact the Flying Squad on 020 8247 4804.”