Sola Adeniji|M10news|Crime News| 20 August 2025
Two masked raiders on a moped attempted to smash their way into a Chelsea pawn shop owned by a reality TV star before being engulfed in smoke and chased off by local builders, witnesses have said.
Dramatic video shared on social media shows the pair pulling up and striking the reinforced front door of Posh Pawn with a sledgehammer.
As they struggled to break through, thick smoke was released from the store on Draycott Avenue, which specialises in luxury watches including Rolex and other high-value second-hand items.
The business is owned by James Constantinou, 58, who fronts the Channel 4 series Posh Pawn about the pre-loved valuables market.
The attempted robbery unfolded at around 5pm on Tuesday in front of shoppers and tourists on the busy street, which is also home to luxury fashion boutiques such as Chanel.
Both suspects, dressed in balaclavas and crash helmets, fled on their moped before dozens of police officers arrived at the scene.
No injuries were reported, and detectives confirmed they are searching for the raiders.
Mr Constantinou told M10News his staff “reacted brilliantly” as the shop’s defence system activated. “We have very effective security measures including Fog Bandit, which releases smoke when the shop is under threat,” he said.
“There were customers in the shop but everyone was safe, because there is also a ‘vacuum room’ after the main door which prevents anyone from gaining access to the main showroom.”
“This is the first time one of my shops has been targeted, but it happens regularly to others in London. I think more needs to be done to deter these criminals,” he added.
A security guard at a nearby store said the high-tech defences clearly stopped the suspects. “The door was reinforced and the smoke confused them. They scrambled to get away,” he told M10news.
“It was around 5pm and the street was full of people. Some passers-by and shop workers even ran forward to chase them off. They didn’t look professional, more like opportunists,” he added.
The guard said local retailers face frequent problems. “We get a lot of crime here, especially mobile phone thefts by lads on electric bikes. It’s terrible.”
One builder who witnessed the raid said: “They were hammering at the door with a sledgehammer. Some of us went over to check if staff were OK. It’s scary to think what could have happened. Thankfully the security did its job.”
On Wednesday, the shop remained closed while staff cleared debris left from the raid. Workers were said to be “shaken” but unharmed.
Detectives are reviewing CCTV and social media footage as part of their inquiry.
M10News has contacted the Metropolitan Police for further information.
Editing by M10News Crime Desk | Contact: crime@m10news.com
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