Three men have been jailed for a Mayfair watch robbery in which a £140,000 luxury watch was snatched from its owner at knifepoint on Berkeley, one of the West End’s most exclusive streets.
Younes Djoudi, 34, was sentenced to five years and nine months, Ali Eldahouzze, 22, to five years and six months, and Abdel El Habchi, 30, to three years and six months at Southwark Crown Court.
All three pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to the robbery, in which the victim was threatened with a knife before the gang made off with the luxury timepiece.
An exclusive hunting ground
Berkeley, in the heart of Mayfair, ranks among the most expensive streets in Britain — a sweep of grand townhouses, private members’ clubs and galleries a short walk from Piccadilly. Its wealthy residents and visitors have made the area a prime hunting ground for watch thieves, who target timepieces worth tens of thousands of pounds.
Luxury watch theft has become one of London’s most persistent robbery trends. The Met has recorded hundreds of violent watch robberies each year, with thieves typically working in small gangs and striking on foot or on mopeds. High-end watches from makers such as Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet can fetch a large share of their retail value on the black market, making them an attractive target.
Sentenced at Southwark
The trio were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court after admitting the robbery at an earlier hearing before Westminster magistrates. The differing terms reflect the judge’s assessment of each man’s role and culpability, with Djoudi — the eldest of the three — receiving the longest sentence.
Robbery carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and the use of a knife is treated as a serious aggravating factor under sentencing guidelines. Offenders who plead guilty are typically entitled to a reduction of up to a third, depending on how early in proceedings the plea is entered.
Police welcome the jail terms
The Metropolitan Police, which announced the sentences in an official release, said the jail terms reflected the gravity of targeting people for their valuables. Detectives have repeatedly urged owners of expensive watches to take precautions: varying their routes, keeping timepieces covered in public and staying alert in central London, particularly late at night.
The force runs dedicated operations against street robbery in the West End, with officers — some in plain clothes — patrolling known hotspots. Detectives also work with jewellers and pawnbrokers to trace stolen watches, which are often moved quickly through criminal networks.
Victims of knifepoint robbery often describe lasting effects long after the physical danger has passed — anxiety in public spaces, disturbed sleep and a reluctance to wear or carry valuables. Support services, including Victim Support, offer free and confidential help to anyone affected by robbery.
Violent crime in the spotlight
The Mayfair jailing is the latest serious robbery case to come before the capital’s courts. Night-time venues have also faced scrutiny over violent incidents — a Wembley nightclub had its licence suspended after a shooting — while questions have been raised about the Met’s wider policing priorities and how resources are deployed across the capital.
Officers continue to appeal for information about other watch robberies across central London. Anyone with information can call police on 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Elsewhere, detectives investigating the death of a man found in Erith are continuing to appeal for witnesses — a reminder of the breadth of serious cases handled by the Met.
Source: Metropolitan Police (official release)
