A new BBC documentary, Hunting the Rolex Rippers, investigates the rise of violent muggings targeting luxury watches worth over £10,000. The 30-minute programme, presented by journalist Tir Dhondy, explores the lucrative crime and the teenagers who commit it.
The thieves, who often target wealthy individuals, express disdain for their victims. One teenager remarked that someone wearing a watch worth a deposit for a house was 'crazy,' while another justified the crime by saying they have bills to pay and that their victims have more money than they know what to do with. The documentary notes that they do not see themselves as Robin Hood figures, with one stating, 'This game's got no rules.'
According to the programme, one in 10 convicted watch thieves is a teenager. The documentary also highlights an irony: some thieves become obsessed with the stolen watches and start wearing them, making themselves vulnerable to theft.
While the documentary is praised for its access and Dhondy's skill in getting subjects to open up, it is criticised for being too brief. The 30-minute runtime limits the depth of the investigation, leaving viewers wanting more insight into the motivations behind both the thefts and the purchase of exorbitantly priced watches.
Hunting the Rolex Rippers aired on BBC Three and is available on iPlayer.
