Gang Snatches Ben Thompson Rolex Leaving BBC Breakfast Presenter Traumatized in Central London

BBC Breakfast star Ben Thompson says he no longer feels safe walking the streets of London following a terrifying robbery in Mayfair last year.

The 45-year-old presenter was targeted by a gang who violently snatched a £7,000 Rolex from his wrist, leaving him anxious and shaken.

Thompson, who previously worked as a Middle East correspondent, spoke candidly about the lasting effects of the attack during court proceedings this week, as two of the assailants were sentenced.

How the Attack Unfolded

The incident occurred on the evening of March 11 when Thompson and his friend, Roja Dove, were leaving Cecconi’s restaurant in Burlington Gardens, central London.

According to court reports, a “spotter” had been watching them leave.

Six men ambushed the pair.

Thompson was grabbed by three attackers, while Mr. Dove, the 69-year-old luxury perfumer behind Roja London, was thrown to the ground as the gang snatched his £150,000 diamond-encrusted Patek Philippe watch.

CCTV later identified two of the suspects, Hocine Boulanouar, 26, and Danis Tom-Deter, 36.

Life After the Robbery

In a victim impact statement, Thompson revealed that the attack has had a profound effect on his day-to-day life.

“I am nervous and jumpy when I hear a jogger or cyclist approaching behind me,” he said.

Flashbacks, anxiety, and constant stress have plagued him since the robbery.

The Rolex taken during the attack had been a meaningful gift from his partner, Andy Roche, to mark Thompson’s 40th birthday.

He now carries a scar where the watch was ripped from his wrist.

Similarly, Mr. Dove described the attack as life-altering.

“I feel like my day-to-day behaviour has completely altered, especially when I am in London,” he told the court.

He added that the theft made him feel unsafe in a city he has loved all his life and undermined the significance of the milestone watch he had bought for himself at age 65.

Court Rulings

Boulanouar, who had previously served a five-month sentence for street theft and breached a suspended sentence, denied the robbery charges but was caught on CCTV.

He was sentenced to four years and three months in prison. Tom-Deter, who admitted both offences, received a two-year and nine-month sentence.

Judge Mr Recorder Jeremy Benson described the attack as a “very frightening experience on the streets of central London at night” and emphasized the calculated manner in which the victims were held while their watches were stolen.

The identities of the remaining four gang members remain unknown.

Impact and Consequences

The violent robbery has left Thompson and Dove struggling with fear and trauma, affecting their sense of security and altering how they navigate London.

The attack highlights a broader concern about high-value street crimes in the capital, with well-known public figures now voicing worries about personal safety.

What’s Next?

Thompson continues to work on BBC Breakfast, often stepping in for main presenters, while taking precautions in his daily life.

Police investigations into the other gang members are ongoing. Both victims hope the sentencing sends a strong message to deter similar crimes in the future.

Summary

A Mayfair robbery targeting BBC Breakfast presenter Ben Thompson and luxury perfumer Roja Dove has left both men traumatized and fearful in central London.

Two of the attackers have been jailed, but the psychological scars and the search for justice continue.

Bulleted Takeaways

• BBC Breakfast star Ben Thompson no longer feels safe in London after his £7,000 Rolex was stolen.
• The robbery in Mayfair involved six attackers, leaving Mr. Dove’s £150,000 Patek Philippe watch also stolen.
• Thompson now suffers from flashbacks, anxiety, and hyper-vigilance in everyday life.
• Two men, Hocine Boulanouar and Danis Tom-Deter, have been jailed; four others remain unidentified.
• The attack has altered both victims’ perception of London, showing the impact of high-value street crime.