Raiders target Harvey Nichols

Harvey Nichols this week was the victim of a gem raid at its Knightsbridge store. A gang of raiders used sledgehammers to smash through the glass doors, stealing tens of thousands of pounds of precious and semi-precious jewellery.

The raiders are thought to be part of a group of 50 individuals, mainly teenagers, who have struck dozens of times in the past months, although this was their first attack on the luxury department store.

Estimates of up to 4 million pound of stolen goods are thought to have been taken by the gang in the past year alone. Last week masked raiders struck at the Dinny Hall jewellery store in Islington, but were interrupted by an off-duty policeman.

Handbag designer Anya Hindmarch today told of her frustration after her stores were targeted for the sixth time last week. Raiders smashed into her Pont Street boutique on Monday, escaping with GBP45,000 worth of goods. The designer said: "It is so infuriating. It seems as though we are a bit too popular in gangland."