Audley Street in Mayfair
(Picture: Google)A Mayfair publican fought off two moped muggers who pushed over a customer and threatened him with a machete at the beginning of a luxury watch-snatching spree.
Detectives are investigating an attempted watch robbery as the male victim left a pub at 8.10pm on October 1 in Audley Street, Mayfair.
The victim was approached by two men riding pillion on a moped who knocked him to the ground and threatened him with a machete before attempting to steal his watch.
The pub worker stepped in to stop the robbery and the two thieves fled on the moped but continued to attack four more victims in the well-heeled neighbourhood.
The first victim man was not injured in the attack but left the scene before police arrived.
The same two thugs are thought to be behind four more attacks that night which saw them snatch two more watches in Mortimer Street and Provost Street.
Specialist moped crime unit detectives have charged one man in connection with the spree but remain keen to speak to the victim to move the investigation forward.
DC Mike Bagnall from Operation Venice, said: “This was a brazen attack in the middle of the street in central London that could have had far more serious consequences.
“This investigation is making good progress but we really need to speak to the man who was attacked. Specially trained officers are on hand to support him and help ensure that those responsible face justice.”
The thefts came after a spike of moped muggings in the summer.
In the following four weeks to June 27, 67 offences were recorded, an increase of more than 60 per cent.
