Jump directly to the content

THIS is the moment cops took down a moped gang armed with axes and knives this morning after they tried to carry out a robbery on a central London jewellers.

Officers were tipped off that the robbers were planning to target the expensive jewellery shop in Piccadilly at around 11.25am today - and swooped to arrest them at the scene before they carried out the crime.

NINTCHDBPICT000256495265
12
Smashed glass fell onto displays of expensive watches as a moped gang armed with an axe and knives prepared to raid jewellersCredit: Array
Police foil armed robbers in Piccadilly
12
One of the knives left at the scene after police swooped on the gangCredit: PA:Press Association
NINTCHDBPICT000256493061
12
A security guard stands over the destroyed front of the shop with shattered glass displaysCredit: Array
NINTCHDBPICT000256493057
12
Destroyed displays fill the front window of the Piccadilly jewellersCredit: Array
Cops
12
Cops took down robbers after receiving a tip off about a planned raid on a Piccadilly jewellers
The robbers were allegedly planning to target an expensive jewellery shop in Piccadilly at around 11.25am today
12
The robbers were allegedly planning to target an expensive jewellery shop in Piccadilly at around 11.25am todayCredit: SWNS
They were reportedly armed with axes, knives and a machete
12
They were reportedly armed with axes, knives and a macheteCredit: SWNS

It's understood a policeman was injured during the arrests and has been taken to hospital for further treatment.

Shocked witnesses reported seeing a machete lying in the street and petrol leaking from the gang's bikes.

Maurice Joffe wrote on Facebook: "Wrong place at the wrong time. Just missed an attempted robbery on Piccadilly Street by 15 seconds.

Related stories

'Suspicious' men seen near Aldershot Army base 2wks after RAF Marham kidnap bid
SQUADDIE ABDUCTION SCARE

'Suspicious' men seen near Aldershot Army base 2wks after RAF Marham kidnap bid

Cops hunt bizarre vandal who dumped 40 dead pigeons in a line along the centre of a road
CATCH THE PIGEON DUMPER

Cops hunt bizarre vandal who dumped 40 dead pigeons in a line along the centre of a road

Mystery as body of man is found on Blackpool beach
SEAFRONT HORROR

Mystery as body of man is found on Blackpool beach

Several children being treated by paramedics after 'bouncy castle came loose'
PLAYTIME SHOCK

Several children being treated by paramedics after 'bouncy castle came loose'

"Four guys, two motorcycles and a machete. Police seem to have been tipped off and beat them to the ground instantly.

"Scary stuff, bikes smashed and petrol leaking all over."

Other witnesses took to Twitter to post pictures of two of the suspects pinned to the floor by police, as one of the bikes lay on its side nearby. One shot showed debris including what appeared to be a machete.

A spokesman for Met Police said cops arrived at the scene, at the junction of White Horse Street and Piccadilly, after being tipped off to a planned robbery.

Police foil armed robbers in Piccadilly
12
The police cordon after the gang was foiled in their raid attempt and a moped left behindCredit: PA:Press Association
Police foil armed robbers in Piccadilly
12
Expensive watches in displays are left scattered with smashed glass after this afternoon's dramatic eventsCredit: PA:Press Association
One officer was injured in the operation which involved a gang on mopeds
12
One officer was injured in the operation which involved a gang on mopedsCredit: Twitter / @Mick7777Francis
The cop is being treated in hospital for his injuries
12
The cop is being treated in hospital for his injuriesCredit: SWNS
The probe into the incident is still on-going and Piccadilly remains closed eastbound at Hyde Park Corner
12
The probe into the incident is still on-going and Piccadilly remains closed eastbound at Hyde Park CornerCredit: SWNS

He said: "Detectives from Flying Squad carried out an intelligence-led operation in central London.

"Three male suspects on two mopeds were arrested as they attempted to rob a jewellers in Piccadilly.

"An axe and knives were recovered at the scene. One officer was injured during the arrests and has been taken to hospital."

A probe into the incident is still on-going and Piccadilly remains closed eastbound at Hyde Park Corner.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368.

 

Topics
YOU MIGHT LIKE
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MORE FOR YOU