Jewel thieves wore latex disguises in £40m raid
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
The men who carried out Britain’s biggest ever jewel heist wore latex disguises to carry out their raid.
The two armed robbers stole diamond necklaces, earrings and watches valued at £40m from Graff Diamonds in London’s New Bond Street on Thursday. The pair’s faces were caught on CCTV as they entered the store, but a make-up artist from Covent Garden said that he had unwittingly produced disguises for the men just hours before they raided the shop.
The artist is apparently from the same studio that inadvertently helped the gang which carried out a £53m raid at a Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent, three years ago – Britain’s biggest ever cash robbery.
The 29-year-old freelance artist, who is now under police protection, was asked to make the pair look older and darken their hair and skin tone, apparently for a music video. Police last night revealed they had recovered a loaded firearm connected to the incident.
Detectives also issued a new appeal for information relating to two vehicles used in the getaway, a Silver B Class Mercedes – registration LV06 HFA – and a Blue VW Sharan – registration RA07 XEV.