West End watch thefts cost £1m monthly, court told

An average of £1 million worth of watches is stolen from people's wrists in London's West End every month, the Metropolitan Police told Southwark Crown Court. This figure was presented during the sentencing hearing for three men convicted of robbing a Romanian businessman of a high-value watch in Mayfair.

Scope of the problem

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Three men sentenced at Southwark Crown Court for stealing a diamond-encrusted Richard Mille watch.

Between January and June 2026, there were 97 watch robberies, including attempted thefts, across the boroughs of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham. The Metropolitan Police also reported that a further 70 watches were stolen in these areas between July and September. Detective Sergeant Andy Swindells stated in a court document that despite police efforts, high-value watch robbery continues to be a significant issue in the West End. He noted that a knife was seen or implied in one-fifth of watch robberies over the preceding six months, and many victims sustained injuries from being assaulted.

Mayfair robbery

Younes Djoudi, Ali Eldahouzze, and Abdel El Habchi were convicted of stealing Catalin Botezatu's diamond-encrusted Richard Mille watch shortly before midnight on 28 January 2026. The incident occurred as Mr Botezatu left the Amazonico restaurant in Berkeley Square. The court heard that the men had conducted surveillance before confronting Mr Botezatu near his car. Prosecutor Arizuna Asante told the court that a sharp object was used to cut the watch strap, causing cuts to Mr Botezatu's wrists. Mr Botezatu, giving evidence from behind a screen, described being pushed into a fence and restrained, fearing for his life due to previous health issues. The watch, a gift from a deceased friend, has not been recovered.

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Djoudi pleaded guilty to robbery. Eldahouzze and El Habchi denied involvement but were found guilty by a jury after a nine-day trial. El Habchi claimed he did not anticipate a robbery occurring, while Eldahouzze stated Djoudi had threatened him. Evidence presented included Djoudi's prior convictions for watch-related offences in 2014 and 2017, and messages on Eldahouzze's phone featuring a photograph of the stolen watch.

Sentencing

Djoudi, Eldahouzze, and El Habchi are scheduled to be sentenced on Friday.