Among the stolen items from Camden Passage on June 17 was this pair of gold coin earrings.
The trader, who has been a regular at the Islington market for more than 25 years, believes he had been watched for a number of weeks in the run-up to the crime.
The theft occurred after closing time on Saturday evening on June 17.
Following searches of CCTV footage from neighbouring businesses, the dealer has pieced together how it happened: a gang of at least three men used diversionary tactics to steal three bags which contained £2000 in cash and around £100,000 worth of jewellery.
Parking problems
Among the items stolen were antique, vintage and modern jewellery including diamond rings, earrings and necklaces.
The dealer had been cataloguing and pricing up stock to take to the Alexandra Palace Antiques & Collectors Fair on July 2 so had more stock with him than usual.
He told ATG: “All I am left with is my jewellers’ loupe, my phone and my car.”
Many of the pieces stolen were in the price range of £600-800. The dealer added: “For years I have parked in the same place where I can see my car from my stall and easily pack away safely. But I have recently had to move and park elsewhere due to the LTN (Low Traffic Neighbourhood policy in Islington). So I left my bags with another dealer to look after them for just two minutes and 40 seconds while I went to my car. In that time, they were taken.”
Dealer warning
A Met police spokesperson confirmed it had received a “report of theft after a quantity of jewellery was stolen from a market trader in Camden Passage”.
They added: “Officers have recovered CCTV from the area and further enquiries are taking place to identify the suspects.”
Anyone with information should contact Metropolitan Police by calling 101 quoting crime reference number 2715219/23 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Dealers have become increasingly concerned about a perceived rise in robberies from groups of thieves. Incidences of attacks in car parks and being followed home from fairs appear to be on the rise.
For a reader’s comment on these concerns see the Letters page this week.
