father and daughter Dareen and Charlotte

Penge armed robbers target Solitaire jewellers

Nick Rutherford
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
10:35 AM

Police are hunting a gang of armed robbers who tried to raid a jewellery shop in Penge High Street.

Four masked men – including one with a gun and another a knife – barged into Solitaire Jewellers last Friday morning as the owner, Darren Dunwell and his daughter, Charlotte, 23, were working there.

Mr Dunwell, 44, said: “They came through the front door. Two of them were armed with a firearm and a large knife.

“I managed to push Charlotte into the back office and slammed the door. They tried to gain access to us with no avail and they left completely empty-handed.”

Mr Dunwell said the incident had lasted less than 30 seconds, adding: “It was a very traumatic experience and we just want to get on with our lives now.”

He has given Flying Squad officers CCTV footage which he hopes will help catch the gang. The raid follows a spate of break-ins and thefts in the High Street, including one in which the front door of Press Gang newsagents was forced open overnight on February 24/25, although nothing was taken.

Penge and Cator ward councillor John Getgood said: “I think the police response has been very good but I would like to see more officers in the High Street to give shopkeepers and customers more confidence.”

Anyone with any information about the attempted robbery should call Det Con Matthew Wyatt on 020 7232 6530 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Anyone with any information about the break-in at Press Gang should contact Bromley Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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