Detectives from the Met’s Flying Squad are appealing for information following a smash and grab armed robbery in Brent.
Police were called at approximately 14:12hrs on Monday, 7 September to reports of a robbery in progress at a jewellers store in Kingsbury Road, Brent.
Eight men are believed to have arrived at the store on four mopeds armed with an axe and sledgehammer.
The suspects smashed the windows at the venue and removed a quantity of Indian and Iranian jewellery from the display area.
Local shopkeepers and passers by confronted the robbers as they attempted to leave the scene on mopeds. Two men were caught; one struggled and made off but another man was successfully detained by locals.
This man, aged 24, was subsequently arrested by police on suspicion of armed robbery.
He has been taken to a north London police station for questioning.
A sledgehammer was recovered by officers at the scene.
Enquiries are ongoing and a police cordon remains in place at the scene of the robbery.
Detective Inspector Scott Hartley from the Met’s Flying Squad said: “This was a brazen robbery carried out in the middle of the day. There were lots of passers by who would have seen the suspects smashing their way into the store and making off. I would like to praise the bravery of those in the local community who intervened in dangerous circumstances.
“We have spoken to a number of witnesses but would urge anyone who has not yet spoken to police about what they saw to call us on 0208 -785-8655 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111. Likewise we are mindful of footage of the incident circulating on social media. If anyone has any footage that could benefit investigating officers, I would urge them to get in touch.”