BBC Presenter Ben Thompson Declares He No Longer Feels Safe in London Following Violent Watch Robbery
BBC Breakfast presenter Ben Thompson has revealed he no longer feels secure in London after a terrifying incident where his £7,000 Rolex watch was violently ripped from his wrist by a gang of muggers. The 45-year-old broadcaster was targeted alongside his friend, luxury perfumer Roja Dove, as they left a restaurant in the affluent Mayfair district.
A Terrifying Night in Mayfair
The attack occurred on March 11 last year when six men ambushed the pair. Mr Dove, aged 69, was thrown to the ground before robbers snatched his extraordinarily valuable diamond-encrusted Patek Philippe watch, estimated to be worth £150,000. Three other assailants then grabbed Mr Thompson, forcibly removing his specially engraved Rolex, which had been a gift from his partner Andy Roche to celebrate his 40th birthday.
The emotional impact has been profound and lasting. In a victim impact statement read aloud during sentencing proceedings this week, Mr Thompson stated: 'After this attack my behaviour has changed – I no longer feel safe in London.' The former Middle East correspondent described suffering from nighttime flashbacks, constant anxiety, and heightened stress. He now bears a physical scar where the watch was torn from his wrist and admitted feeling 'nervous and jumpy when I hear a jogger or cyclist approaching behind me.'
Perfumer's Lifelong Love for London Shattered
Roja Dove, who founded the luxury perfumery Roja London, expressed how the robbery has fundamentally altered his perception of the city that bears his company's name. 'I feel like my day-to-day behaviour has completely altered, especially when I am in London,' he said. 'When I walk through the streets of central London I feel like I am on high alert and I am very nervous. I feel very unsafe in London, a city I have loved my entire life.'
Mr Dove revealed the stolen Patek Philippe was a personal reward for reaching 65 years of age, making the theft feel particularly devastating. 'I have worked hard for everything I have. The watch was a present to myself when I reached the age of 65. The theft of the watch has meant all my hard work has been pointless.'
Justice Served as Two Gang Members Jailed
The Old Bailey heard that the victims were observed leaving Cecconi's restaurant in Burlington Gardens by a 'spotter' before the coordinated attack. CCTV evidence later identified defendants Hocine Boulanouar, 26, and Danis Tom-Deter, 36. Boulanouar had a previous conviction for street theft and was in breach of a suspended sentence at the time of the robbery.
Judge Mr Recorder Jeremy Benson described the incident as 'a very frightening experience on the streets of central London at night' where 'they were set upon and each man was held while their watches were dragged off their wrists.' Boulanouar, who denied two charges of robbery despite clear CCTV evidence placing him at the scene, was sentenced to four years and three months imprisonment. Tom-Deter, who admitted both offences, received a sentence of two years and nine months.
Police investigations confirmed the involvement of four additional men whose identities remain unknown. Ben Thompson, who joined the BBC as a graduate trainee and regularly stands in for main Breakfast presenters, continues his broadcasting career while grappling with the psychological aftermath of this traumatic event.
