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Smash-and-grab raid at Dorchester Hotel
A gang of moped riders armed with sledge-hammers carried out a smash and grab at central London’s exclusive Dorchester Hotel.
Three men from a group of six entered the Park Lane hotel’s boutique in the early hours of Tuesday morning and smashed their way into jewellery and watch cabinets.
The group was disturbed by police at about 01:37hrs but escaped on three mopeds with some items.
The Met followed but lost the gang around Shaftesbury Avenue in the West End, and later came across a woman who had been hit by a moped at Cambridge Circus.
The 25-year-old was taken to hospital for treatment for leg injuries and has since been discharged.
Detective Constable of the Flying Squad Alex Flanagan said: "This was a well planned and thought through robbery and there may be people who know who is responsible.
"I am keen for those with any information, no matter how small, to come forward and assist us with our investigation."
The raid has echoes of a similar robbery at central London store Selfridges almost a year ago, when a gang of six – some dressed in burqas – smashed glass watch cabinets and fled with their loot on mopeds.
It comes as celebrities such as actor Stephen Fry, Richard Branson and Vogue editor Anna Wintour are calling for a boycott of the Dorchester Hotel chain, following the decision by the owner, the Sultan of Brunei, to introduce strict Sharia law in his country, which condones the stoning to death of homosexuals and adulterers.
The Dorchester said no one was hurt in the theft but was unable to give details of the items stolen or their value. "As ever the comfort and security of our guests and employees remains our top priority," it told the Financial Times.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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