manhunt launched for six masked ram-raiders with machetes who stole watches

Armed robbers have ram-raided a luxury watch shop and escaped with a haul worth tens of thousands of pounds.

The masked raiders smashed into the Rolex shop in Knightsbridge,central London,just before 11am before grabbing the watches.

Six suspects wearing motorcycle helmets entered the store and threatened staff and members of the public with weapons,including machetes before stealing the watches.

Detectives and forensics officers were on the scene yesterday and CCTV from inside and outside the shop are being analysed. 

No injuries were reported and there have been no arrests.

Metro saw a broken glass cabinet inside the shop after it was shattered in the raid. 

The front door of the shop was also broken,while the bike was still jammed inside. 

A security guard at another luxury store told Metro: ‘There was a big crash like a road traffic accident then shouting and people running. It was chaos.

‘I realised it wasn’t just a crash when I saw the bike in the Rolex store door.

Detectives and forensics officers are on the scene while CCTV from inside and outside the shop are being analysed (Picture: John Dunne/Metro)

The masked raiders smashed into the store in Knightsbridge,just before 11am (Picture: John Dunne/Metro)

‘We all are told to look out for ram-raiders. They are a constant threat and our worst nightmare.’

A police cordon has been set outside the store which is about 50 metres from Harrods. 

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A resident in the flats above the store told Metro: ‘There were lots of them they were in and out fast. Their faces were covered. The head of security at the store told me no one was hurt and that other businesses like doormen and security from other stores were alerted.

‘He said the safety procedures to protect staff worked but unfortunately the robbers managed to grab watches.’

The front door of the shop was also broken,while the bike was still jammed inside (Picture: John Dunne/Metro)

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Mather from the Met’s Flying Squad,who is leading the investigation,said: ‘This robbery was carried out in a busy part of London,and we understand the alarm it has caused. The Flying Squad specialises in tracking down organised robbers who use violence and intimidation,and our officers are working to identify and arrest those responsible.

‘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.’