Shop assistant foils robbery at Hampstead jewellers

Published: 30 September, 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

A BRAVE shop assistant fought off a gang of robbers armed with a hammer at a Hampstead jewellers.

David Buxton, 43, said he was left “battered and bruised” after four men forced their way into Joule in Flask Walk in broad daylight at 2pm last Thursday.

He said: “I managed to fight them back and chase them out of the door. I’m still a bit shaken up. 

“Thankfully they didn’t manage to take anything. They just smashed a few cabinets. It’s still early days and we are helping police with their investigations.”

The suspects, described as four black men wearing dark clothing aged 20-25, fled empty handed in a waiting car. 

A witness who works in a nearby shop said: “It was complete chaos. The alarm had gone off and the shop was filling with smoke but the door had automatically locked. The whole street was out. We were sticking our heads through the door to check he was okay.”

A spokeswoman for Camden police said: “Police are appealing for information and witnesses following an attempted robbery on Thursday 23rd September on Flask Walk NW3. 

“The suspects ran from the venue along Flask Walk and got into a waiting car containing a fourth suspect and drove off.” 

Anyone with any information is urged to call Flying Squad on 0208 358 1751 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.