Police are appealing for help and have released CCTV footage and photos after a series of armed robberies of pedestrians in Bankside, the Waterloo area and other parts of central London this summer.
Two men are thought to have carried out eight robberies and attempted robberies from July 21-30. Seven of these were on the evening of Wednesday 21.
In each robbery two black men on electric bikes cycled up to the victim and told them to hand over their watch, often threatening them with a gun.
In one incident at around 11.30pm in Addington Street at the junction with York Road, between Waterloo Station and St Thomas’ Hospital, the robbers hit the victim with a pistol, injuring his head. The man was taken to hospital for treatment but was not seriously hurt.
This came just another robbery incident involving the two men on Southwark Street, at the junction with Blackfriars Road.
Detective Constable Tom Waller, the investigating officer from the Met’s Operation Venice Investigations Team, said: “These robberies were absolutely terrifying ordeals for the victims and we are determined to do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.
“The suspects are dangerous individuals, as they have proven by repeatedly brandishing a firearm, and I would appeal to the public to help us get these men off London’s streets. Do you remember seeing two men in dark clothing and concealed faces riding e-bikes on the dates in question? Any detail you remember, no matter how insignificant you think it is, could really help our investigation. So please, get in touch with us today.”
Some of the other robberies took place in Westminster, St Paul’s, Kensington, Chelsea and in Hyde Park.
The Hyde Park incident took place last, on Friday July 30 at 8.30pm. Police said the victim was approached by two suspects on e-bikes. One of the men brandished a firearm and told the victim to hand over his watch, with a value of around £140,000. The suspects then fled the scene with the watch.
The suspects are described as black men, between the ages of 18 and 25, wearing all black clothing. They were both seen to be riding black electric bikes and had their faces covered.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting Operation Kimax. Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Officers have released a timeline of the robberies:
Wednesday, July 21
1 – 22:55hrs Outside St Paul’s Tube station
2 – 23:08hrs Fenchurch Street
3 – 23:20hrs Southwark Street at the junction with Blackfriars Road
4 – 23:26hrs Addington Street at the junction with York Road
5 – 23:35hrs Guthrie Street (Chelsea)
6 – 23:40hrs Raphael Street (Knightsbridge)
7 – 23:47hrs Queen’s Gate (Kensington)
Friday, July 30
8 – 20:30hrs Hyde Park