Dorchester Hotel
Dorchester Hotel: Smash and Grab incident by moped gang Wikimedia Commons

A gang of thieves has stolen jewellery and watches in a 'smash and grab' raid at the luxury Dorchester Hotel.

Six men armed with sledge hammers smashed cabinets at the world famous hotel in Park Lane in the early hours of this morning before fleeing the scene on mopeds and knocking down a woman as they escaped.

Police officers chased the mopeds but lost sight of them as they made their way up Shaftesbury Avenue. They found the injured woman, aged in her 20s, in Cambridge Circus.

The woman has been taken to a south London hospital with leg injuries and has since been discharged.

Roads were closed in the area but have since reopened.

No arrests have been made.

The Met Police are now looking for anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or the accident involving the pedestrian to come forward.

Detective Constable Alex Flanagan said: "We are in the early stages of our investigation and I would like to hear from anyone who was on Park Lane or nearby who may have seen the robbery or the men making their escape.

"Likewise I am keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the accident that took place in Cambridge Circus.

"This was a well planned and thought through robbery and there may be people who know who is responsible and I keen for those with any information no matter how small to come forward and assist us with our investigation."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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