Robbery Incident
On March 11, 2025, Ben Thompson, aged 45, was violently robbed of his £7,000 Rolex watch in Mayfair, London. The incident involved a gang of six men who ambushed Thompson, forcibly tearing the watch from his arm.
The attack not only resulted in the loss of valuable property but also left Thompson with a permanent scar on his wrist. In the aftermath, he has experienced flashbacks and persistent anxiety, stating, “I am nervous and jumpy when I hear a jogger or cyclist approaching behind me.” This incident has significantly affected his sense of safety in London, a city he once loved.
Roja Dove, a friend of Thompson, was also targeted during the robbery. Her diamond-encrusted Patek Philippe watch, valued at approximately £150,000, was stolen. Dove expressed her feelings of insecurity, saying, “I feel very unsafe in London, a city I have loved my entire life.” She further lamented, “The theft of the watch has meant all my hard work has been pointless.”
CCTV footage from the scene identified two of the assailants as Hocine Boulanouar and Danis Tom-Deter. Boulanouar received a prison sentence of four years and three months for his involvement, while Tom-Deter was sentenced to two years and nine months.
Judge Jeremy Benson remarked on the severity of the crime, stating, “This was clearly a very frightening experience on the streets of central London at night.” The robbery has taken a significant psychological toll on Ben Thompson, raising concerns about safety in urban areas.