Moment gang of youths raid London Apple retailer in broad daylight in entrance of shocked buyers – as police arrest six youngsters on suspicion of theft
This is the terrifying moment a gang of hooded youths raided an Apple store in a brazen daytime heist on Sunday afternoon.
Shocking footage shows at least eight robbers, all dressed in black, targeting the tech giant’s store in the Brent Cross shopping centre in north London.
A sea of shoppers, including parents with young children, could be seen dramatically fleeing the Apple store as the mob ripped out expensive devices around them.
It took just 24 seconds for all members of the gang to race into the shop and leave with the stolen goods.
The Met Police says it has since arrested six youths between the ages of 14 and 18 on suspicion of robbery.
It comes amid mounting pressure on police forces and the Government to tackle Britain’s shoplifting epidemic.
The financial hit to businesses is huge, with the Met Police recording more than £15million in stolen goods and money, according to the latest data from last year.
The footage begins with the Apple security guard trying to block one thug from entering.
But while he is occupied with the young man, a large group of hooded thieves race through the door, shoving people out of the way and sending customers scurrying to the back of the store.
The gang of youths can be seen entering the Apple store as a security guard blocks one from coming in
As the thugs raced into the store (left), shoppers, including families, could be seen fleeing (right)
Shocked shoppers watched on as the gang of youths fled the shop with devices just 20 seconds later
Other customers, including a father who picks up his child, are seen quickly evacuating as the thieves descend on desks full of Apple’s latest products on display.
Just seconds after entering, the stream of black-clad thugs are seen mounting their escape with phones in their hands.
Two members of staff, including a security guard in hi-vis, can be seen trying to trip up some of the thieves as they sprint out.
In the process of escaping, the yobs dropped at least one phone on the floor of the shopping centre.
The footage had been widely shared on social media, with users condemning the thugs as ‘savages’.
The Apple store is among around 120 shops at the Brent Cross shopping centre, which opened in 1976 and has around 15 million visitors a year.
A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘Six teenage boys have been arrested following a theft from a shop in Barnet after police arrived quickly at the scene.
‘Police were called at around 14:35hrs on Sunday, 5 January to reports that a group had entered a shop in Brent Cross Shopping Centre before stealing a large number of mobile phones.
‘Officers attended and quickly made arrests a short time after the incident was reported to police. The teenagers, all aged between 14-18, were all arrested on suspicion of robbery and taken to custody, where they remain for questioning.
‘Enquiries continue.’
