An antique dealer who narrowly escaped serious harm after a violent robbery at his shop last week said he was lucky to be alive despite having difficulties sleeping. 

Last Tuesday, two masked individuals entered Bourbon-Hanby Arcade on Sydney Street, Chelsea, around midday on March 26. The owner, Ian Towning, recalled working on jewellery repairs at the counter when the assailants “began smashing the place,” loading jewellery into a rucksack, and threatening staff.

Towning, known for his appearances on ITV Dickinson’s Real Deal and Channel 4 Posh Pawn, recounted being struck with a sledgehammer during the incident. As he and his partner, Les Barrett, tried to block the robbers from reaching a cabinet holding £1 million worth of antique jewellery, they were attacked. Meanwhile, his security guard, Mark, was struck on the back of his head.

“They pushed me to the floor. They beat me up. I got up. They’ve broken my teeth, they’ve damaged all my face,” he said.

Following the incident, the three victims received treatment for their injuries at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. 

He thanked the medical staff for their care and acknowledged his fortunate escape, saying he was “lucky to be alive.” He also expressed concern about the severity of Mark’s injuries, particularly the extensive damage to the back of his neck and head.

“But, luckily – thank God – he’s going to be okay. But emotionally it affects you,” he said.

In an interview with the BBC, Towning said the panic button he wore around his neck all the time did not help during the robbery. He is now having trouble sleeping following the theft of over £100,000 worth of jewellery from the arcade. 

Detective Sergeant Richard Hall of the Metropolitan Police appealed to the public for assistance in identifying potential witnesses who may have observed the incident unfold. He asked for any dashcam footage or CCTV footage from the local area at the time, saying that such evidence could aid authorities in locating the suspects.

The Met Police urged anyone with information or who saw anything suspicious in the Sydney Street area at the time of the incident to contact them by dialling 101 and referencing case code CAD 2933/26Mar.

The attack garnered an outpouring of support for Towning. Social media users expressed their outrage at the incident, with one person calling the incident “unbelievably cruel” and another offering well wishes for Towning’s recovery.

In an Instagram post, the 76-year-old thanked his fans for their support. He also posted a picture of the suspects and wrote, “As a follow-up, one of the robbers/attackers let his mask slip on the way out. Here you can see the footage as they leave the arcade. Please scroll to see photos of the injuries sustained by Mark and myself.”

Fortifying security

The incident highlights the importance of fortified security for antique dealers. Security firms like Marengo acknowledge the distinct security requirements for these businesses, offering a tailored security strategy. 

Their services include thorough assessments to pinpoint weaknesses, devise the ideal security, and install suitable security tools, such as high-definition cameras, discreet panic buttons, and reliable alarms. They also offer 24/7 monitoring and surveillance for optimised security.

If necessary, Marengo will provide skilled security personnel to deter robberies and guarantee staff safety, as well as train the staff for de-escalation and emergency procedures.