The criminal network targeted high-value stores, taking more than £100,000 of luxury goods over a four-month period in 2025.
The seven arrests came following a fast-paced Flying Squad investigation, where officers followed CCTV enquiries and identified suspects through forensic analysis to identify the suspects and bring them to justice.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Mather, from the Met's Flying Squad, said: "We realise these attacks on luxury stores have had a significant impact on business owners and the communities around them.
"Our detectives worked quickly, establishing common patterns between the attacks to link them to one criminal network. Forensic analysis and fast-paced CCTV enquiries were then able to identify the suspects.
"This is a clear message to anyone who thinks they can carry out smash-and-grab raids in London - we will identify you, we will track you down and we will bring you to justice."
The criminal network carried out raids on seven high-value stores, robbing them of more than £100,000 in 2025. L-R: Matthew Windrass, David Rigelsford
At 03.45 on Thursday 8th May a blue Ford Fiesta was rammed the doors of a luxury clothes store on Sloane Street, Kensington, three times. Three suspects entered the venue and stole £8,350 worth of designer goods before making off in a silver Mercedes getaway car and a motorcycle.
At 03.50 on Monday 30th June two men smashed the window of a café on St John's Wood High Street, Westminster. They stole a safe containing over £1,000 in cash.
At 16.15 on Tuesday 1st July two men with sledgehammers smashed the windows of a jewellers on Edgeware Road, Westminster. They stole £59,930 worth of watches and jewellery.
At 03.10 on Sunday 13th July two men broke down the front door of a retail store on Kensington Church Street, Kensington. They stole a number of items, where the value and damage totalled more than £10,000.
At 03.30 on Monday 21st July a man used a sledgehammer to smash the doors of a watch shop on Duke Street, Westminster. He smashed the cabinets before fleeing empty handed.
At 03.04 on Sunday 27th July, a man smashed the front of a fine art shop on Marylebone High Street, Westminster. Two paintings were stolen.
At 04.37 on Tuesday 5th August, a man unsuccessfully tried to smash the front door of a beauty store with a brick before fleeing the scene. Officers used extensive CCTV enquiries to trace stolen vehicles used as getaway vehicles in the attacks, including a Jaguar XE and a white Peugeot 5008.
This combined with intensive forensic work, which identified suspects and allowed police to put together the events of the evening.
Following the arrests of the first suspects, officers further analysed digital devices to unravel the criminal network, successfully bringing about the seven convictions.
Christopher Gibbs, Lee James McCready, Matthew Windrass, George O'Hare and Anthony Munday were located and arrested in a series of raids on Tuesday 5th August coordinated by the Flying Squad and including officers from across the Met and Thames Valley Police.
Paul Hughes and David Rigelsford were arrested and charged on Monday 29th September and Wednesday 29th October.
The seven defendants previously pleaded guilty. They were sentenced on Tuesday 17th March at Kingston Crown Court as follows:
- Christopher Gibbs, 43, of Talbot Road, Bayswater, was convicted of four counts of burglary on Sloane Street, St John's Wood High Street, Duke Street and Marylebone High Street and one of attempted burglary on Marylebone High Street. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment.
- George O'Hare, 37, of Wormholt Road, Wormholt, was convicted of one count of burglary on Sloane Street, possession of Class A drugs and breach of a serious crime prevention order. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.
- Paul Hughes, 42, of Grendon Street, Church Street, was convicted of two counts of burglary on Sloane Street and St John's Wood High Street. He was also convicted of an unrelated robbery. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment.
- Anthony Munday, 40, of Harrow Road, Hyde Park, was convicted of one count of burglary on Edgeware Road. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment (suspended for two years) and 150 hours unpaid work.
- Lee McCready, 45, of Grand Junction Place, Uxbridge, was convicted of one count of burglary on Edgeware Road. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.
- Matthew Windrass, 50, of Park Crescent, Ascot, was convicted of one count of burglary on Edgeware Road. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.
- David Rigelsford, 37, of Denmark Road, Kilburn, was convicted of two counts of burglary on Kensington Church Street and Duke Street. He was sentenced to three years and nine months' imprisonment.