Conquering Xmas sledge smash n grabbers

A gang of raiders armed with sledgehammers and riding motorcycles carried out the daytime smash and grab on a jewellers in Oxford Street yesterday morning (20th December). The store's Smoke Screen system activated preventing them from taking any more than a few of watches.

It was 10am and the street was busy with festive shoppers when the four men rode up to Leslie Davis jewellers and started attacking the windows. They managed to make a hole in the toughened glass large enough to get an arm through so they could swipe the designer loot. The instant the glass was breached however the window filled with security smoke forcing them to abandon the raid and flee.

Chased by members of the public, one of whom attempted to kick one of the bikes over, they rode off in different directions, leaving the hammers behind.

The whole incident lasted less than two minutes, enough time to clear out an unprotected window display and get away. This time the thieves hadn't reckoned with the Smoke Screen and the store's loss was reduced massively. As this spate of violent daytime crime continues, it's great to know that we are making a difference.

Read the full story here on the Daily Mail's website. Screen grab and images courtesy of MailOnline.