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Piccadilly armed gang foiled by Met Flying Squad Piccadilly armed gang foiled by Met Flying Squad
(about 1 hour later)
An armed moped gang was intercepted by police as they attempted to rob a jewellery store in central London. A moped gang armed with knives and an axe has been intercepted by police in a "terrifying" attempt to rob a jewellery store in central London.
One officer was injured when the Met's Flying Squad swooped on the men - armed with knives and an axe - who were on two mopeds in Piccadilly at 11:25 BST. One officer was injured when the Met's Flying Squad swooped on the men who were on two mopeds in Piccadilly at 11:25 BST.
Three men were arrested and and are being held at London police stations. The gang smashed a glass cabinet, causing more than £300,000 of damage, store owner Avi Reed said.
Three men were arrested and are being held at London police stations.
Mr Reed said police contacted them at the Chronext store earlier to warn them that there might be a robbery, and the shop was closed to protect customers.
He said: "At about 11:30 we saw three guys, they had helmets on. One tried to smash the door with a hammer. The glass didn't break as it's protected but he managed to get in.
"Another guy had an axe and managed to smash a cabinet, while the other stayed on the motorbike. They caused enormous damage."
Mr Reed praised the actions of the "amazing" police.
"Thank god our employees were at the back of the store and nobody was injured," he said.
"The police acted with amazing speed. Unfortunately I believe one officer was injured.
"We are delighted there was a police warning and it's terrifying to think what would have happened without it."
Piccadilly is closed eastbound at Hyde Park Corner while investigations are carried out.Piccadilly is closed eastbound at Hyde Park Corner while investigations are carried out.
The injured officer has been taken to hospital for treatment.The injured officer has been taken to hospital for treatment.
Scotland Yard said they caught the men during an "intelligence-led operation".Scotland Yard said they caught the men during an "intelligence-led operation".