Kingsbury shopkeepers take on 'smash-and-grab' thieves

Local residents and shopkeepers came together yesterday to tackle a gang of would-be "smash-and-grab" thieves who targeted a jeweler in Kingsbury, north London.

Video captured at the scene shows Arabic speaking locals shouting as eight men entered and began looting the shop. Staff tried to defend themselves with baseball bats, whilst customers fled the shop as the gang smashed open display cabinets to scooped up the jewellery before fleeing.

As they attempted to do so, they were met by a crowd of about 30 shopkeepers from neighbouring businesses, who attempted to block their way using a variety of instruments.

Startling footage obtained by ITV News London shows the array of weapons used against the robbers, including a trolley, wooden pallets, shop signs and even what appears to be a meat cleaver.

Police said they believe eight men on four moped carried out the robbery armed with an axe and sledgehammer. A witness told ITV News:

Following the incident, two men were caught by locals - one managed to struggle off but another was successfully detained before being arrested by police. He remains in custody.

Police said they recovered a sledgehammer at the scene and praised the bravery of the local community.