A security guard at Selfridges in London has been praised as a hero after bravely attempting to stop an armed smash-and-grab gang during a dramatic dawn raid earlier this week.
At around 8.30 pm on 6th June 2013, the gang used two vehicles — a VW Golf and a Mini — to ram into the entrance of the world-famous department store, targeting designer handbags worth tens of thousands of pounds. Before the gang could flee with the stolen goods, one security guard sprinted toward the suspects, armed with nothing more than a yellow “caution wet floor” sign in a desperate attempt to deter them.
Newly released CCTV footage shows the guard running directly toward the moving vehicle before being struck and thrown aside. A colleague who witnessed the chaos said:
“He tried to stop them with a ‘caution wet floor’ sign. He came running with that, hand in the air, thinking he was going to scare them off. His legs didn’t get broken or anything, but he got knocked by the car. It tripped him over and then they drove off.”
Another guard described the scene as something out of an action film:
“It sounded like a James Bond movie scene. The security guard was a hero. We’re thankful because the robbers had knives and all that, but he wasn’t hurt.”
The Mini used in the raid was abandoned at the scene, while the thieves escaped with luxury handbags worth tens of thousands of pounds.
Detective Tom Alyward from Westminster Police commented:
“Thankfully nobody was injured. I’d like to appeal for those who may have been in the area at the time and saw the individuals involved, either at the scene or fleeing, to get in touch with police and send us any images and footage that they may have.”
A Selfridges spokesperson confirmed that no one was injured and that the Metropolitan Police have launched a full investigation into the incident.
The guard’s courage — facing an armed gang with nothing more than a warning sign — has since drawn widespread admiration from both the public and security professionals who have called his actions “remarkably brave” despite the obvious danger.
Incidents like this highlight just how important trained, reliable security personnel are in protecting businesses, staff, and the public. At Region Security Guarding, we pride ourselves on supplying fully licensed, highly experienced retail security officers who are prepared to respond calmly and professionally in difficult situations. Whether it’s retail premises, corporate environments, or high-risk locations, our team is committed to delivering dependable protection and complete peace of mind.
