Three men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a £225,000 daylight robbery at a family-owned jewellery store in Richmond, south-west London. Robert Clarke, 50, Lee Ramsey, 46, and Deniz Mehmet, 28, all from Essex, were convicted of conspiracy to rob following a raid on January 31.

The robbery, captured on video and widely shared online, showed the trio using a sledgehammer to smash the large glass window of Gregory & Co jewellers. Staff members attempted to intervene as the attackers quickly filled a blue Ikea bag with watches, bracelets, and other jewellery from the display. The men then fled on foot toward Richmond Green while bystanders called the police.

Police identified and arrested Clarke and Ramsey in the early hours of March 31, entering their homes based on CCTV evidence and forensic analysis. Mehmet was detained on a street on April 8. The stolen jewellery has not been recovered.

At Kingston Crown Court, Mehmet was sentenced to five years in prison, while Clarke and Ramsey each received five years and three months. All three pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

A spokesperson for Gregory & Co described the incident as deeply upsetting and expressed gratitude for the public’s support. The independent family business, which has served the Richmond community for more than 45 years, said it looked forward to resuming normal operations soon.

Detective Superintendent Dan Mitchell of the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad emphasized the impact such robberies have on local residents and businesses. He highlighted the meticulous investigation that led to the convictions and reiterated the force’s commitment to targeting smash-and-grab crimes across London.

The sentencing follows a recent crackdown on similar offences, with several other individuals previously jailed for a series of smash-and-grab raids on luxury shops in the capital between May and July 2025. These incidents involved the use of sledgehammers, bricks, and vehicles to force entry and steal high-value items such as watches, jewellery, fine art, and cash.

According to recent Metropolitan Police data, neighbourhood offences in London declined by 14 percent in the year leading to June 2026, reflecting over 35,000 fewer reported incidents compared with the previous year. The police continue to prioritize reducing such crimes to protect communities and local businesses.