London police foil Selfridges 'smash and grab'

[comment] (Picture: Matthew Carrozo/PA Wire )[/comment]

Two people were arrested tonight following an attempted “smash and grab” robbery at Selfridges in London.

[comment] (Picture: Matthew Carrozo/PA Wire )[/comment]

The incident took place at around 8.30pm in the department store on Oxford Street.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Police were called at approximately 20:30 to reports of a smash and grab inside commercial premises on Oxford Street.

“It is not currently known how many people were involved. Two people were arrested nearby. Inquiries continue.”

The police spokesman said there were no reports of gunfire.

Matthew Carrozo, from east London, saw two men being apprehended by police shortly after the raid at Selfridges.

The 28-year-old was having a drink with a friend outside The Draft House pub at the corner of Goodge Street and Charlotte Street this evening when he heard the sound of a moped crashing.

He said he then saw a man run out from a nearby pizza restaurant and pin down one of the two people who were riding on the vehicle.

“Someone noticed a bag had fallen off the moped and that it had opened and a bunch a watches fell out,” he said. “The duffle bag was full of watches and jewellery.”

He said one man was dressed in full motorcycle gear while a second man dressed in a burka had been on the back of the moped, and fell onto the ground.

“The first guy pegged it down Charlotte Street and then he was held to the ground as other people were getting involved. He really put up a struggle. When cops turned up they put him in the back of a van and he was kicking and screaming,” said Mr Carrozo. “The other man was injured and is being attended to by paramedics.

“Apparently it was just an accident and the moped slipped on a grate on the ground.

“We were totally stunned by what we saw.”