Burka-clad Axemen Smash and Grab London Store

[Dale00]

Six men armed with axes have carried out a "smash-and-grab" raid at London's Selfridges department store.

Police said the robbers, reportedly dressed in burkas, smashed glass cabinets to steal high value watches.

Police said the men fled the shop on mopeds and motorbikes ridden by associates.

Matthew Carrozo said he heard a moped crashing just under a mile away from Selfridges and saw one man dressed in full motorcycle gear while a second man dressed in a burka fell on to the ground.

The 28-year-old, who was on the corner of Goodge Street and Charlotte Street, said he then saw a man run out from a nearby pizza restaurant and pin down one of the two people who were on the vehicle.

"Someone noticed a bag had fallen off the moped and that it had opened and a bunch a watches fell out," he said. "The duffle bag was full of watches and jewellery."

"The first guy pegged it down Charlotte Street and then he was held to the ground as other people were getting involved. He really put up a struggle.

Monty Python or Benny Hill??