Police appeal after burglars plunder luxury items including Hermes bags from Chelsea home

Police have issued CCTV of a man they want to speak to after burglars stole luxury items including designer handbags from a west London home.

Two raiders plundered Hermes Birkin bags and other valuables worth tens of thousands of pounds from an address in Chelsea.

The thieves struck in the evening on 20 July and despite a police investigation no arrests have been made.

Detectives have now issued an image of a man they want to identify .

The image was captured in Smith Street, Chelsea, at around 8.30pm in the area before the thieves struck.

A police statement said: “The image was captured in Smith Street, SW3 at around 20:30hrs on Saturday, 20 July.

“Later that evening two men broke into an address on the street and stole a number of items. The items stolen included a number of Hermes Birkin bags. There have been no arrests and enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.”

The handbags are named after the late English actress Jane Birkin and have become a symbol of exclusivity, and have regularly been seen on the arms of stars including Kate Moss, Heidi Klum, Winnie Harlow and Kim Kardashian.

Earlier this year, it was reported that the bags had become the favourite target of burglars in Los Angeles. Police said South American gangs had been breaking into mansions in wealthy areas to steal the bags, which can cost up to £100,000.

Anyone who recognises the man, or who has information that could assist police, is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote 01/620918/24. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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