Islington man jailed for trying to steal £250,000 watch in Jermyn Street

A 29-year-old man from Islington has been jailed for two years and four months after attempting to steal a luxury watch worth £250,000. Brahim Keddad was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 7 August 2026 for the attempted robbery on Jermyn Street, one of London’s most expensive shopping streets.

Plain-clothes Metropolitan Police officers spotted Keddad acting suspiciously near the watch’s owner. He followed the victim on a Lime bike before trying to snatch the Richard Mille watch from his wrist. Officers, supported by a passer-by, arrested him at the scene.

Police response and impact on crime rates

Detective Sergeant Amy Swindells said the case demonstrated the value of plain-clothes patrols. The watch was returned to its owner, and no further offences were committed. Swindells added that neighbourhood crime in London, including theft and robbery, had fallen by 14% in the past year.

The Met reported that this reduction equates to 35,000 fewer offences across the capital. Swindells said the force continues to use intelligence-led patrols and targeted operations to disrupt criminal networks. She stated that such efforts help remove offenders like Keddad from the streets.

What happens next

Keddad will serve his sentence in a London prison. The Metropolitan Police has not released further details about the victim or whether additional charges will be pursued. Residents in Westminster and Islington can report suspicious activity to the Met via their local policing teams or online.