In a meticulously planned robbery that has shocked the affluent community of Richmond-Upon-Thames, thieves used a getaway car that had been parked illegally nearby for three full days as part of their intricate scheme. The brazen attack occurred last Saturday morning at the Gregory & Co family jewellers, a local independent business that has operated in the area for over 45 years.
Shocking Footage Captures the Moment
Shocking video footage, captured by locals enjoying coffee nearby, shows the terrifying moment when two masked thugs demolished the window of Gregory & Co at 10.30am. The assailants peeled back the damaged window and made off with goods on foot, leaving the community in a state of alarm. The aftermath of this audacious robbery has prompted urgent calls from local businesses for enhanced security measures in the neighbourhood.
The Meticulous Getaway Plan
The Daily Mail can reveal that the getaway vehicle believed to be involved was a two-seater, white Peugeot van. This van had been collecting parking tickets as it lay in wait illegally at the bottom of picturesque Old Palace Lane, which leads directly onto a scenic River Thames walkway. Positioned just a five-minute walk from the crime scene, the van had been parked in a pay and display zone since at least 1pm on Wednesday, January 28, three days prior to the Saturday morning attack.
On the day of the robbery, the thugs are understood to have jumped into the awaiting vehicle, driven it to Richmond Green, and parked it close to The Prince's Head pub. This pub features prominently in the popular Apple TV series Ted Lasso, which has brought renewed fame to Richmond's cobbled streets. The thieves then walked the short distance to the jewellery store, committed the crime, and ran back to the van. There, they are understood to have thrown their ill-gotten gains through its back doors, which they left open during their escape.
Escape and Community Impact
The pair then drove back to the bottom of Old Palace Lane, dumped the car, and fled. While it remains unclear what direction they took, suspicions point towards a possible escape on an awaiting moped. In the wake of this terrifying incident, businesses in Richmond have expressed deep concerns about safety and the potential impact on tourism. The area is home to a string of celebrities, including rocker Mick Jagger and actors Richard E Grant and Tom Hardy, and has gained international recognition through Ted Lasso.
Luli Regaca, the owner of barber Art 8 located next door to the jewellers, voiced the frustration felt by many local business owners. "The law needs to change, we need to be able to protect ourselves and our own places," Regaca stated. "These days living in the UK you can walk into any store, steal what you want and walk out. Nobody can stop you and there are no police visible to act as deterrents." Regaca added that business has been "dead" since the incident, with clients messaging to ask if it is safe to visit.
Broader Security Concerns
Rupa Nair, who works at the nearby Chango Mexican food chain, highlighted the potential damage to Richmond's reputation among tourists, particularly from America. "Lots of tourists from America come here and we don't want that to stop, we need them, but what will they think when they see what's happened? They will think Richmond is not safe," Nair said. Another store owner, who wished to remain anonymous, demanded immediate action, calling for more visible security personnel and criticising Mayor Sadiq Khan for not doing enough for this part of London.
Alai Naseer, assistant manager at Sporting Feet, pointed out a lack of training for shop owners to ward off attackers. "I don't know what the protocol is, nobody is taught this stuff, which is probably why high-end stores are a big target," Naseer remarked. This is not the first time the wealthy area has been hit by well-planned raids. The jewellery store is just two doors away from the flat used as the location for fictional Richmond AFC manager Ted Lasso in the Apple TV show. That flat was targeted by burglars two years ago, and homeowners have previously beefed up security after a spate of break-ins in late 2024.
Context of Recent Crimes and Economic Factors
The latest brazen attack comes amid a drop in house prices in Richmond, which was hit hardest of all London areas during November when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced her budget, introducing a 'mansion tax' on homes valued at more than £2 million. Figures from the Office for National Statistics, analysed by estate agent Purplebricks, show that Richmond upon Thames was among the weakest-performing London boroughs in November. Average property values across the borough fell by £19,290 over the month, taking the typical home price down to £767,961.
This raid occurred just 11 days after a terrifying robbery in Knightsbridge, another of London's high-end areas. There, a gang on mopeds bearing weapons raided a Rolex store and made off with around 20 watches worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. That raid is understood to have played a part in Hollywood star Tom Cruise ditching his £35 million pad, which was in one of the adjoining blocks above the Rolex shop.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Police have sent a plea for witnesses after seizing a vehicle used in the Richmond-Upon-Thames raid. Superintendent Craig Knight, who leads the Met's neighbourhood policing in Richmond, stated: "Officers are working at pace to identify and locate the men who carried out this robbery. We realise incidents of this nature can have a real impact on the local community, especially businesses and those who live in the area. Please be reassured that we will be relentless in bringing these people to justice and are pursuing several lines of inquiry."
A spokesman for Gregory & Co expressed the deep upset caused by the incident, noting that the business is supporting the police investigation. "We're a local, independent, family jewellers and have been in Richmond for more than 45 years," the spokesman said. "The public response to this incident has been overwhelming and we are grateful for the support and kindness we've received. We are reassured that overall, good outweighs the bad as we look forward to reopening and getting back to normal soon."
