Algerian Migrants Sentenced for High-Value Watch Robbery in London's Mayfair
Two Algerian migrants have been handed prison sentences after violently stealing a £65,000 luxury watch from a driver in London's exclusive Mayfair district. The incident, which occurred on May 11 last year, involved a planned robbery targeting a visibly wealthy individual.
Violent Confrontation and Chase
Besart Krasniqi had just left the Hideaway Cafe on Mount Street with his pregnant wife when he was approached by three men. As he took a photograph of his Bentley automobile, one assailant aggressively pushed him while another ripped the Patek Philippe timepiece from his wrist. The thieves then fled the scene through nearby side streets.
Video footage captured the dramatic moment when Mr Krasniqi gave chase but was violently shoved onto a black Mercedes by one of the perpetrators, causing him to fall to the ground and abandon the pursuit. The luxury watch was never recovered by authorities.
Perpetrators and Sentencing
Belal Amine, 26, and Gabriel Kamali, 23, both Algerian nationals who entered the United Kingdom illegally via small boat crossings in 2019, were identified as the primary offenders. Kamali pleaded guilty to robbery while Amine was convicted following a trial.
During sentencing on Monday, Judge Perrins described the incident as "a serious, planned, group attack" that specifically targeted wealthy victims. Amine received a four-year prison sentence while Kamali was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. Both men face automatic deportation provisions upon their release from custody.
Victim Impact and Apology
In his victim statement, Mr Krasniqi revealed he had inadvertently photographed one of the robbers moments before the attack. "I was pushed on the left shoulder by a male. A second male ripped the watch off my left wrist," he recounted. "After a few metres the third male pushed me and then knocked me to the floor."
Kamali's legal representative told the court her client felt "terrible" immediately after pushing Mr Krasniqi and wished to apologize. Amine's representative stated the 26-year-old was an asylum seeker not permitted to work in the UK and had hoped to secure employment before the robbery derailed those plans.
Mayfair Crime Patterns
The affluent Mayfair neighborhood has become a hotspot for organized criminal activity, with gangs specifically targeting visibly wealthy individuals. Algerian crime groups in particular have shifted their focus from phone thefts to high-value watch robberies following police crackdowns on mobile device crimes.
Statistics reveal a significant decrease in London phone thefts, dropping from 81,365 incidents to 71,391 last year. This decline corresponds with criminals adapting their strategies to target luxury watches instead. Recent high-profile victims include BBC presenter Ben Thompson and his friend Roja Dove, who was robbed of a £150,000 Patek Philippe watch in March.
Former Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector David McKelvey commented on this criminal evolution: "The criminals are able to adapt very quickly. A simple 'risk vs reward' assessment means for them it will make sense to try to steal one very valuable watch instead of any number of valuable phones."
The case highlights ongoing concerns about organized crime in London's wealthiest districts and the challenges law enforcement faces in responding to rapidly evolving criminal methodologies.
