Mayfair Watch Robber Jailed After Being Caught by Plain-Clothed Police

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-07 10:58 2 min read

Classic Victorian style police lamp sign attached to a stone building wall in London.

A 29-year-old man has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison following an attempted robbery in Mayfair. Brahim Keddad, of Seven Sisters Road, Islington, was apprehended by Metropolitan Police officers while attempting to steal a £250,000 Richard Mille watch from a pedestrian on Jermyn Street.

Proactive Policing and Immediate Intervention

The arrest occurred on Friday, 1 May, during a proactive patrol conducted by four plain-clothed officers. The team identified Keddad acting suspiciously, noting that he was walking slowly and monitoring passers-by. As one officer followed on foot, the suspect mounted a rental bike and approached a victim from behind, grabbing their wrist in an attempt to snatch the high-value timepiece.

Mayfair Watch Robber Jailed After Being Caught by Plain-Clothed Police

The pursuing officer intervened immediately, apprehending the suspect with the assistance of a member of the public. Back-up arrived within minutes to secure the arrest. Keddad was subsequently sentenced for attempted robbery at Southwark Crown Court on 7 August 2026.

Impact of Targeted Crime Operations

This conviction follows a wider initiative by the Metropolitan Police to address the prevalence of high-value watch thefts in central London. Official figures indicate that the strategy is yielding results across Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Hammersmith & Fulham. In the first half of 2026, watch thefts across these three boroughs dropped by over 50 per cent, falling from 213 offences during the same period in 2025 to 97.

Detective Sergeant Andy Swindells, who led the investigation, noted that the use of plain-clothed patrols remains a critical component of the force’s approach to deterring street-level crime. “This case highlights the invaluable benefit of plain-clothed officers being on patrol,” Swindells said. “We were able to spot and arrest Keddad within minutes, returning the valuable watch to its owner and preventing others who live or visit in London from being victims.”

Broader Trends in London Street Crime

Broader data for London reflects a downward trend in street crime, with reports of theft from the person decreasing by 23 per cent—representing 23,000 fewer offences—and personal robbery falling by 11 per cent over the past year. Additionally, neighbourhood crime, which includes theft and robbery, has seen a 14 per cent reduction, equivalent to 35,000 fewer reported offences across the capital.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that intelligence-led patrols will continue as part of their ongoing effort to identify offenders, disrupt criminal networks, and protect the public. The force maintains that these targeted operations are essential for bringing offenders to justice and reducing the overall volume of street-level crime in high-traffic areas.

Source: Metropolitan Police News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Verified Police Report

This report is based on official sentencing data and public incident reports provided by the Metropolitan Police.

Checks