Smash and grab scooter gang escaped with handbags worth tens of thousands from House of Fraser

A smash and grab scooter gang escaped with handbags worth tens of thousands of pounds in a raid lasting just two minutes.

The gang used axes and a crowbar to break giant panes of glass in the display windows at the House of Fraser store in Victoria in the early hours of the morning last week.

They targeted a display by the luxury Mulberry handbag firm and escaped with a total of 33 high value bags.

Scotland Yard said officers were driving past the store at around 3.30am last Tuesday when they came across the aftermath of the burglary with shattered glass lying strewn across the pavement.

A number of axes and a crowbar were found at the scene.

Detective Constable Joanna Bellett, from Westminster CID, said police were examining CCTV of the street and said the suspects wore motorcycle helmets and gloves.

They are thought to have arrived on a number of scooters or mopeds and sped away laden with handbags.

The raid took place between 3.19am and 3.21am on September 12.

Police also released images of a selection of the 33 Mulberry bags stolen in the burglary, many of which sell for nearly £900 a time.

DC Bellett, from Westminster CID, said: “The raid on the department store in Victoria Street would have been very loud and will have attracted attention despite the time of night.

“A lot of glass was smashed as entry was forced and I believe that those travelling in and around the area at the time would have seen something that can assist investigators. The main glass pane smashed is located directly opposite Benugo Café and Leon Restaurant.”

She added: “A number of enquiries, including the recovery of detailed CCTV footage is in hand. I would urge any witnesses and those with information to come forward and speak to my team who are ready to take your call.”

Two axes and a crowbar were recovered and have been sent off for forensic analysis.

There have been no arrests.

Crimes involving robbers on mopeds more than doubled in London last year with offences including phone snatches, robberies and smash and grab raids on luxury stores in central London.

Police are struggling to catch the thieves because of the dangers of pursuing speeding mopeds through London and are trying to use more innovative methods to snare culprits such as using ‘DNA’ sprays to mark fleeing hoodlums so they can be identified later.

Anyone with information is asked to call Westminster CID on 07500 766 462 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.