Armed Rolex raid in Knightsbridge sends shock through Kensington & Chelsea

An armed robbery at a Rolex boutique in Knightsbridge has left staff and shoppers shaken after a gang smashed their way into the store during the late morning rush, threatening people with machetes before escaping on mopeds.

The Knightsbridge Rolex robbery took place shortly before 11am on Tuesday at the Bucherer boutique, a short walk from Harrods, in one of the busiest retail areas of Kensington & Chelsea.

Police say six suspects wearing motorcycle helmets rammed a stolen motorcycle into the shopfront before storming inside and stealing a number of high-value watches. Witnesses described scenes of panic as staff and members of the public were confronted by the gang, some of whom were armed with large bladed weapons.

The suspects abandoned the motorcycle inside the store before fleeing the scene on four mopeds that had been parked outside. No injuries were reported, but the raid caused widespread disruption in the surrounding streets.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Mather, from the Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad, said officers were treating the incident with the utmost urgency.

“This robbery was carried out in a busy part of London, and we understand the alarm it has caused,” he said. “Officers were on scene within minutes and investigators are working at pace to piece together the offenders’ movements.

“We are determined to find those involved and bring them to justice as swiftly as possible.”

The Flying Squad, which specialises in tackling organised robbery, is leading the investigation into the Knightsbridge Rolex robbery and is reviewing CCTV from the surrounding area. Detectives are also appealing to anyone who witnessed the raid or saw the suspects arrive or leave to come forward.

Luxury watch retailers in central London have been repeatedly targeted in recent years, with gangs using stolen vehicles, helmets, and mopeds to strike quickly before dispersing through traffic.

Residents and business owners in Kensington & Chelsea have again raised concerns about the brazenness of daylight robberies in high-profile shopping districts, where crowds and tourists are a constant presence.

The Metropolitan Police has urged anyone with information to contact officers or report details anonymously. Further guidance on reporting serious organised crime is available through the Metropolitan Police website.

For more independent coverage of crime and policing in the boroughs, follow EyeOnLondon Kensington & Chelsea. We welcome thoughtful discussion in the comments.

[Image Credit | Google]

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