'Robberies of this kind cause real concern for residents and businesses in the communities that are targeted,' the Met Police said

Shocking footage shows the moment a gang of masked thieves smashed their way into a jewellery shop with a sledgehammer and made off with more than £200,000 worth of stolen jewels.

The “smash-and-grab” broad daylight robbery took place at a jeweller in Paved Court, Richmond, south-west London.

Three men have now been jailed over the January 31 raid after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.

Video captured from a neighbouring store showed one of the assailants hitting the jeweller’s window repeatedly with a sledgehammer before peeling the sheet of heavily cracked reinforced glass away.

Another robber then swept in with a canvas bag, filling it with the precious goods while what appeared to be store workers attempted to move the jewels out of reach.

One of the workers also appeared to bat at the raiders with an object in a bid to hamper their efforts.

Seconds later, the thieves sped off down the street as bystanders looked on in shock.

Deniz Mehmet, 28, of Elham Drive, Basildon, was sentenced to five years in prison, while Robert Clarke, 50, of Lever Lane, Rochford, was jailed for six years and six months.

Lee Ramsey, 46, of Hastingwood Road, Harlow, received a five-year and three-month sentence.

Additional footage released by the Metropolitan Police also captures the dramatic moment officers raided the homes of Clarke and Ramsey in the early hours of March 31.

Detectives identified the trio through CCTV enquiries, forensic analysis and by tracing a vehicle believed to have been used during the robbery.

Detective Superintendent Dan Mitchell, from the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad, said: “Robberies of this kind cause real concern for residents and businesses in the communities that are targeted. It's they who feel the immediate impact.

“These sentences mark a significant step in what has been a detailed and determined investigation.

“I hope they demonstrate our commitment to tackling smash-and-grab robberies in London by going after those involved, wherever they are.

“The groups responsible should be under no illusion – we will pursue you relentlessly and hold you to account,” DS Mitchell declared.