Graff Diamonds heist thieves wore latex disguises

The two thieves who carried out the audacious robbery of an exclusive New Bond Street jewellery store wore latex masks in order to avoid identification, it has emerged. The smartly dressed pair, whose raid on Graffs of Mayfair was one of the biggest crimes ever committed in Britain, stole 43 pieces of jewellery worth an estimated £40 million last Thursday.

The two men escaped after brandishing a gun, dragging a female worker out of the shop as a hostage and driving away in two getaway cars with fake number plates.

 The robbers, who were clearly seen by the store's CCTV cameras, wore disguises for the raid, and told the staff at a Covent Garden beauty salon who made the liquid latex masks that they were appearing in a pop video, the Sun reports.

The makeover session, in which the two thieves had their hair colour and skin tone changed, took four hours and cost £450. Police have since collected various gowns, hairbrushes and banknotes from the salon, as they hunt for forensic evidence.

In other developments, the police have raided several London houses and recovered a loaded gun connected to the crime. They have also found a high-powered motorbike which they suspect was used to drive away with a bag containing the stolen gems.

On Wednesday, flying squad officers arrested a 50-year-old man from Ilford in Essex, who is thought to have been involved in planning the raid. He has since been released on bail. ·