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Biggest gems heist in British history: £ 40 million

Two smartly dressed armed robbers emptied Graff Jewellers in London's West End

Police are hunting robbers who stole items worth nearly £40m in what is believed to be the biggest gems heist in British history. Two smartly-dressed armed robbers stole jewellery worth almost £40 million from Graff Jewellers in London's West End last Thursday.

Scotland Yard issued CCTV images of the duo as they conned their way past a security guard at the prestigious shop in New Bond Street, Mayfair.

Once inside they pulled out two handguns and threatened staff before snatching expensive rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches.

After arriving in a black taxi, they fired two warning shots into the ground as they escaped in a series of vehicles across Soho.

Detective Chief Inspector Pam Mace, of the Flying Squad, said the pair is “extremely dangerous”.

She said: “This was a well planned robbery with a number of vehicles used to help the robbers escape. These men are extremely dangerous and fired at least two shots in busy London streets as they made their getaway. Someone knows who these men are.

”They would undoubtedly have spoken about it beforehand or boasted about it afterwards. I would urge anyone who recognises them, knows the whereabouts of the jewellery or has any other information to contact us.”

The heist dwarfs what is thought to be Britain's previous biggest jewellery robbery, a £23 million raid at the same store in 2003.