A family-run jewellers whose staff fought back against hammer-wielding raiders vowed to reopen after the “deeply upsetting” daylight robbery, as a police manhunt continues in west London.
Footage captured by a witness shows two masked men smashing their way into Gregory & Co in Richmond at 10.34am on Saturday.
One thief uses a sledgehammer to target the front window, while the other scoops up valuable items from the display case and puts them into a blue bag as staff inside try to fend them off using what they could.
The smash-and-grab robbers then run along Paved Court, a narrow cobblestone street lined with boutiques, cafes and restaurants towards Richmond Green while bystanders call police.
Gregory & Co featured in Apple TV’s hit comedy show Ted Lasso.
Starring Jason Sudekis, the fictional American football coach is hired to manage soccer team AFC Richmond and lives in a flat two doors away from the shop in the leafy suburb.
The Metropolitan Police said enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made.
A getaway vehicle has been recovered and is being examined as part of the investigation.
In a statement, Gregory & Co said: “This has been deeply upsetting for us all and we are supporting the police as they investigate who did this.
“We’re a local, independent, family jewellers and have been in Richmond for more than 45 years.
“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.”
All customers’ items were “securely locked” in safes during the incident, it confirmed earlier.
Superintendent Craig Knight, leading neighbourhood policing in Richmond, added: “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.”
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