Terrifying footage shows the moment a pair were mugged in broad daylight by knife-wielding thugs who stole their watches.
The shocking robbery happened in Pond Place, Chelsea, on Monday afternoon - and saw a screaming woman held at knifepoint by a balaclava-clad thief.
Two hooded people dressed in black leapt from a car before ambushing the woman, in her 30s, and a man in his 40s as they walked through the upmarket area.
The thieves - one seemingly armed with a knife - tussle with the female victim as she lies in a doorway, in mobile phone footage shot by an eyewitness. Her screams can be heard ringing out loudly.
Her male companion tries to help her but one thug grabs him, and he tries desperately to escape.
A man filming the attack threatens to call the police while an elderly couple - including a woman brandishing what appears to be a long stick - come to the victims’ aid.
The thieves then make off in a silver car.
The Met has launched an investigation into the robbery, after being called to the scene shortly before 2.40pm on Monday.
Chief Superintendent Owain Richards condemned the “appalling incident”.
“No-one should be subjected to such unacceptable violence,” he said.
“Our dedicated Robbery Team are investigating and trawling CCTV. We have seen a rise in watch robberies, and are focusing our resources in the hotspots.”
No arrests have yet been made.
