Spencer Matthews caught up in smash-and-grab at jewellers
Reality TV star Spencer Matthews has told Sky News how he was caught up in a “scary” armed robbery at a luxury jewellers in London’s West End in broad daylight.
The brother-in-law of Pippa Middleton told The Kay Burley Show that he was forced to hide in the vault at The Hour House on Duke Street.
Matthews, who previously featured in Made In Chelsea, posted a video on his Instagram saying he had to “hide in a safe place” after the shop got “smashed to pieces by armed robbers”.
Matthews says he had to hide in a vault to escape the armed robbers
He said: “These guys drive a scooter through the glass and start battering the shop with hammers, big huge hammers, wearing helmets.
“We’re in the back of the shop looking at them, sprint downstairs, hide in the vault until all the noise passes. Come upstairs and the place is just battered. Like I mean Gonzo. All the watches gone.”
Witnesses claim around six men on four mopeds attacked the shop. Instagram pic: Spencer Matthews
The 30-year-old also posted several pictures on the social media site of glass strewn across the shop and smashed up cabinets.
He explained he was in the shop with some friends to collect a “vintage piece” that he had been “waiting for for ages”.
Matthews posted several photos, including of smashed cabinets. Instagram pic: Spencer Matthews
“We were looking around and I’m just thinking f****** hell the thing that I’ve been waiting for has obviously just been nicked so I’m going to have to go and get another one.
“Lo and behold we look around and on the floor amongst all the rubble and the glass and stuff there’s one watch in the entire shop and it’s mine. Now if that’s not luck I don’t know what is.”
Matthews says his 1991 vintage Rolex Daytona Zenith was the only piece not stolen
The Metropolitan Police says officers were called to Duke Street on Tuesday at 10.32am after reports of a smash and grab and sent specialist firearms teams to the scene.
Eyewitnesses claim around six masked men on four mopeds targeted the shop, with one brandishing a machete at members of the public outside.
Thames Valley fire service engineer Paul Starck was left with glass in his eye when one of the men attacked his van window with the weapon to stop him calling the police.
The 43-year-old from Sandhurst said he had never felt fear like it. He was driving near to the shop when the group did a u-turn on the road close to him, prompting him to dial 999.
The reality TV star said the men used huge hammers during the attack. Instagram pic: Spencer Matthews
He said: “He was trying to get through the window at me because he knew I was on the phone to police.
“I’ve never been so scared in my life. He had no care in the world.”
He was treated by an ambulance crew after getting glass in his eye.
Police say so far no one has been arrested and enquiries are continuing.