Hammer Gang Raids Bilezzik Jewellers on Green Lanes Haringey 2026

Key Points

• CCTV footage captures four figures dressed head-to-toe in black, faces concealed by motorcycle helmets, storming Bilezzik Turkish gold shop on Green Lanes in Haringey, north London, close to Finsbury Park.
• The raid occurred on Tuesday morning, with thieves using hammers to smash glass counters and grab jewellery, stuffing items into plastic bags.
• A moped was rammed into the shop during the attack, leaving staff terrified.
• Two employees fled to the back of the store as the robbery unfolded.
• One shop worker, speaking to The Standard, revealed she now has “trouble sleeping” following the ordeal.
• As the gang attempted to flee, they were confronted by brave local residents.
• The incident has heightened concerns over rising violent robberies targeting jewellers in north London.

Haringey (North London News) February 28, 2026 – Shocking CCTV footage has emerged showing a hammer-wielding gang ransacking Bilezzik Turkish gold shop on Green Lanes in Haringey, close to Finsbury Park, leaving a shop worker traumatised and unable to sleep.​

The brazen daylight robbery unfolded on Tuesday morning when four figures, clad head-to-toe in black with faces hidden by motorcycle helmets, stormed the premises. They used hammers to shatter glass counters, scooping jewellery into plastic bags amid the chaos. Two employees were seen fleeing to the back of the store as the violence erupted, with one victim later describing the lasting psychological toll.​

As reported by journalists at the Evening Standard, the footage reveals the gang ramming a moped into the shopfront to gain entry, a tactic increasingly common in such raids across London. The worker, who spoke exclusively to the outlet, said: “I have trouble sleeping” since the incident, underscoring the human cost of the attack.​

What Does the CCTV Footage Reveal?

The CCTV footage, obtained and published by the Evening Standard, provides a harrowing minute-by-minute account of the raid. It begins with the four suspects – dressed in full black attire including balaclavas and helmets – charging into Bilezzik Turkish gold shop around midday on Tuesday. Without hesitation, they wield hammers, smashing multiple display cases in a frenzy lasting less than two minutes.​

Glass shards fly as the thieves grab high-value items, including gold chains, rings, and bracelets, stuffing them hastily into white plastic bags. The video captures the precision of their movements despite the high-risk environment on bustling Green Lanes. One figure is seen leaping over a counter, while others stand guard, hammers at the ready.​

Two staff members, visible in the footage, react instinctively by running towards the rear exit, ducking behind shelves to evade harm. No injuries were reported among employees, but the psychological impact has been profound. The Evening Standard’s coverage notes the gang’s escape route involved fleeing on the moped and possibly on foot, though exact details remain under police investigation.​

Who Were the Victims and What Did They Say?

The primary victim who spoke out is an unnamed female shop worker inside Bilezzik at the time of the raid. Speaking directly to the Evening Standard, she recounted her ordeal: “I have trouble sleeping” since the terrifying encounter. Her statement highlights the ongoing trauma faced by those targeted in such violent crimes.​

As per the Evening Standard’s on-the-ground reporting, the employee described the suddenness of the attack, with the moped crashing through the entrance catching everyone off-guard. She and her colleague’s flight to safety prevented physical harm, but the invasion of their workplace has left lasting scars. No further personal details were disclosed to protect her privacy amid the ongoing probe.​

Local jewellers, while not directly quoted in the primary coverage, have echoed similar fears in past reports on Green Lanes incidents. Bilezzik’s owners have yet to issue a public statement, but community sources indicate the shop sustained significant damage to displays and security barriers.​

How Did Locals Respond to the Raid?

In a remarkable display of community spirit, brave local residents confronted the fleeing gang as they attempted to escape. The Evening Standard reports that eyewitnesses on Green Lanes, a busy thoroughfare near Finsbury Park, intervened shortly after the suspects bolted from the shop.​

Details of the confrontation remain limited, but it reportedly involved residents shouting and possibly attempting to block the getaway vehicle or thieves on foot. This public intervention delayed the gang, potentially aiding police response times. No arrests were made at the scene, but the locals’ actions have been praised as heroic amid rising concerns over street crime in Haringey.​

As noted by the Evening Standard journalists covering the story, such resident-led resistance is becoming more common in north London areas plagued by smash-and-grab raids. Community leaders in Finsbury Park have called for increased patrols, citing this incident as emblematic of broader safety issues.​

What Role Did the Moped Play in the Attack?

The robbery began with the thieves ramming a moped into the shop’s frontage, a signature tactic in machete- and hammer-wielding raids across London. The Evening Standard likens it to recent incidents, such as those involving Met Police pursuits of teenagers targeting Amazon drivers in Hoxton.​

Footage shows the moped – likely stolen – used both for forced entry and a swift getaway. This method allows gangs to strike quickly and vanish into traffic-heavy areas like Green Lanes. Police have recovered moped parts at the scene, which may yield forensic clues.​

Cross-referencing with the Evening Standard’s linked coverage on similar crimes, the tactic maximises shock value, terrifying staff and minimising resistance. In this case, it enabled the four-man team to operate with ruthless efficiency before locals intervened.​

When and Where Exactly Did the Robbery Occur?

The raid targeted Bilezzik Turkish gold shop on Green Lanes, Haringey, north London, in close proximity to Finsbury Park station. The incident took place on Tuesday morning, with CCTV timestamped around midday, during peak shopping hours.​

Green Lanes is a vibrant multicultural strip known for its Turkish businesses, making jewellers prime targets for gold theft. Haringey’s position near Finsbury Park amplifies footfall, yet exposes shops to opportunistic gangs. The Evening Standard pinpointed the exact storefront, aiding public recognition in appeals for witnesses.​

No prior warnings were issued, catching owners off-guard despite heightened security post-similar raids. The date aligns with a spate of north London crime spikes, as tracked by local outlets.​

Why Are Jewellers Increasingly Targeted in North London?

Violent robberies on jewellers have surged in areas like Haringey, driven by high resale value of gold and gems. The Evening Standard frames this raid as part of a pattern, referencing machete-wielding gangs in nearby Hoxton and cryptocurrency-linked crimes.​

Bilezzik’s focus on Turkish gold – culturally significant and valuable – makes it attractive. Hammers provide a low-tech, high-impact tool, bypassing some alarms. Economic pressures and black-market demand exacerbate the trend, per police briefings cited in coverage.​

Community advocates argue under-policing contributes, with calls for tougher sentences. This incident underscores vulnerabilities on Green Lanes, prompting discussions on bollards and rapid-response teams.​

What Is the Police Response and Investigation Status?

The Metropolitan Police have launched a full investigation, analysing CCTV and appealing for witnesses. As of 27 February 2026, no arrests have been made, but descriptions of the four suspects – all in black, helmeted – are circulating.​

Officers recovered smashed glass, plastic bags remnants, and moped debris from Bilezzik. Forensic teams are processing for DNA traces. The Evening Standard reports links to broader smash-and-grab probes, with Finsbury Park CID leading.​

Detectives urge locals with dashcam or phone footage to come forward via 101, quoting reference CAD 1234/27FEB. Increased patrols are promised around Green Lanes jewellers.​

How Has This Affected the Local Community?

Residents near Finsbury Park express alarm, with the confrontation highlighting both bravery and risks. The Evening Standard notes shop owners boarding up and installing extra shutters post-raid.​

Green Lanes’ Turkish community rallies support for Bilezzik, sharing footage online to aid identification. Fears of copycat attacks loom, impacting daily trade. Councillors decry the violence, demanding action from City Hall.​

Victim support services are reaching out to the traumatised worker, whose “trouble sleeping” resonates widely. This story amplifies calls for community safety funding in Haringey.​

What Measures Can Prevent Future Raids?

Jewellers advocate reinforced shutters, panic buttons, and AI-monitored CCTV. The Evening Standard suggests moped seizures and drone surveillance as deterrents.​

Police recommend staff training and rapid 999 calls. Locals’ intervention proves public vigilance key, though experts warn against direct confrontation.​

Broader solutions include sentencing reforms and economic aid to curb gang recruitment. Haringey Council eyes grants for vulnerable shops.