29,000 watches have been reported stolen to the police in the last five years.
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Police have released details about an undercover operation targeting watch robbers in central boroughs.
Between April and September 2022, 300 luxury watches were reported stolen in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham, amounting to a total value of £4m.
Intelligence shows suspects often targeted victims who were leaving pubs and clubs in vulnerable or intoxicated states.
Suspects would often offer drugs or sex workers before taking victims to quiet areas where they would rob them. Some robbers would “violently attack” victims from behind.
In response, police conducted two operations involving undercover officers wearing luxury watches at locations and times criminals were known to operate.
The operations ran from October to December 2022 and March to October 2023 in Soho and other hotspots, accounting for 40% of all watch robberies.
Following 31 arrests and 27 successful charges, the operation saw a drop of roughly 44% in watch robberies in these areas.
Commander for Met Intelligence Ben Russell said this has been a rare chance to share the work of undercover police officers with the public.
He says “By targeting the people causing the most harm and the locations most frequently linked to crime, we are having a greater impact on keeping our communities safe.”
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HeadlineLuxury watch robbers targeted by Met police
Short HeadlineWatch robbers targeted by Met police
StandfirstPolice have started a "new, more precise approach" to target watch robbery within London communities.
Police have released details about an undercover operation targeting watch robbers in central boroughs.
Between April and September 2022, 300 luxury watches were reported stolen in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham, amounting to a total value of £4m.
Intelligence shows suspects often targeted victims who were leaving pubs and clubs in vulnerable or intoxicated states.
Suspects would often offer drugs or sex workers before taking victims to quiet areas where they would rob them. Some robbers would “violently attack” victims from behind.
In response, police conducted two operations involving undercover officers wearing luxury watches at locations and times criminals were known to operate.
The operations ran from October to December 2022 and March to October 2023 in Soho and other hotspots, accounting for 40% of all watch robberies.
Following 31 arrests and 27 successful charges, the operation saw a drop of roughly 44% in watch robberies in these areas.
Commander for Met Intelligence Ben Russell said this has been a rare chance to share the work of undercover police officers with the public.
He says “By targeting the people causing the most harm and the locations most frequently linked to crime, we are having a greater impact on keeping our communities safe.”
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