A smash and grab raid at a high-end jewellery store has highlighted the need for security glass to protect retailers from attack, it is claimed. The Breitling store at Westfield, Stratford, was attacked by a gang wielding axes and hammers in the early hours of September 5.
The raiders are thought to have been from an organised criminal network. Police were able to apprehend the gang as they began to smash the window of the jewellers, before they could steal any goods.
However, the raid still caused significant damage to the front of the store. A major ‘smash and grab’ raid at the Oxford Street branch of Selfridges in June saw men disguised in burkas and armed with axes and sledgehammers smash glass display cabinets and make off with watches worth some £1.5m. Two brothers involved in the robbery were jailed for a total of 17 years.
Essex Safety Glass
Scott Sinden, Managing Director of ESG, said: “Gangs attacking jewellery stores and other retailers selling high value goods are becoming more ruthless, and this is the challenge that security glass now needs to meet head on.
“These stores want to show off their products to potential customers, but at the same time they need to maintain a high level of security. Many insurers are now demanding that jewellery stores use stronger security glass, and retailers need to better understand the different levels of glass available to them.
“All our high performance security, ballistic and blast resistant glass is fully tested to internationally recognised standards including EN356 and LPS 1270, and is third party certified and approved, ensuring its quality, performance and durability.”
Earlier this month, ESG exhibited at International Jewellery London, where they spoke to jewellery store owners about security risks, and security glass solutions for their windows, doors and display cabinets, including some with personal experience of coming under attack. The ESG Switchable glass on display can be changed between transparent and opaque at the flick of a switch. A sensor can also be incorporated to switch the glass on impact to hide goods on display in the event of an attempted robbery.
Another application, the makers add: private viewing or consultation rooms.
