Rolex watches worth £22,000 have been stolen by robbers wielding sledgehammers filmed breaking into a family-run jewellers in south-west London.
Footage shows three masked men repeatedly striking at the glass of the Antony James shop in Kingston.
Witnesses said the culprits, said to be aged 17 to 20, ran off with their haul within 20 seconds just after 5pm on Monday.
Antony James Jewellers has been based in the town for 50 years.
But its facade was completely destroyed despite staff pulling down an electric shutter to prevent them accessing five to six additional timepieces.
A blind man inside the store was left in tears and too terrfied to return home.
One employee told the Standard: “There was a blind and disabled guy. He obviously couldn’t see what happened and thought the sound of the hammers was an earthquake.
“The impact of the blows could be felt three shops down. I’ve never heard noise like it.
“The man was shaking and crying. He said he was too scared to go home in case they followed him. We got him a taxi back.”
Antony James Jewellers has received an outpouring of support from neighbouring businesses.
The spokesman added: “We’re a big part of Kingston and have been here for half a century. We’ve had three phone calls today checking if we are okay.
“I’ve seen this sort of raid online but you never think it’s going to be your shop targeted.
“Our security worked quite well, so they didn’t get what they came for.
“The shutters came down and the smash-proof glass held for quite a while, only one bit of the window went through, which is how they got the watches.”
An investigation has been launched by the Metropolitan Police’s elite Flying Squad.
Scotland Yard said: “Police were called to a business premise on Fife Road, Kingston at about 5.20pm on Monday, January 8 following reports of a burglary.
“It was reported that three men wearing balaclavas and armed with hammers forced entry into the premise before stealing a number of watches.
“Officers attended. No one was injured as a result of the burglary.
“At this early stage no arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”
