Masked gang armed with sledgehammer terrorise couple in violent Nottingham burglary

We're offering a reward of up to £7,500 for information after a masked gang armed with a sledgehammer and pickaxe carried out a terrifying break-in at a family home in the Kimberley area of Nottinghamshire.

At around 7.40pm on Thursday 4 December 2025, five masked men smashed their way into a house via rear patio doors. Once inside, the burglars attacked the husband when he tried to confront them, attacking him with the sledgehammer, hitting him on his back and knee before forcing him to open a safe where a number of high-value watches were taken.

Meanwhile, his wife was dragged upstairs and forced to show the gang where more valuables were stored. The men then fled through woodland to the rear of the property, escaping with a haul of luxury watches and designer handbags worth in the region of 1 million pounds.

Among the stolen collections were watches from Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Omega, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Hublot and Tissot, along with handbags from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Jimmy Choo and Dior. One of the most distinctive pieces is a white Chanel “Boy” handbag, sold only in Milan.

CCTV footage shows the gang approaching the property armed with the pickaxe and sledgehammer:

Police have also traced a grey hatchback using false plates, seen on the A610 between 7.21pm and 7.49pm on the same evening. It’s believed the vehicle travelled into the West Midlands.

As a charity, completely independent of the police, Crimestoppers is appealing for anyone with information about the burglary or who may have seen the stolen items for sale to get in touch - 100% anonymously.

Do you have information, but don't want to speak to the police? You can tell us what you know and remain 100% anonymous - guaranteed. 

Call free any time on 0800 555 111 or fill in our quick, easy & secure online form, right here on our website:

Give information anonymously

“This was a shocking and violent attack on a family in their own home. They were confronted by five masked men, armed with weapons and prepared to use serious force to get what they wanted, leaving lasting trauma and injury behind them.  

“You can tell our charity what you know about who is involved without ever giving your name or speaking to the police. Your information could help stop further violence and bring justice to this family.”

Lydia Patsalides, Crimestoppers East Midlands Regional Manager 

Anonymity

Crimestoppers guarantees complete anonymity, meaning that people who call or contact us online can pass on what they know without ever giving any personal details. Computer IP addresses are never traced. Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.

Claiming a reward

The reward will only be payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police. A reward code must be asked for when calling our charity on 0800 555 111. If you contact us via our online form anonymously, the 'keeping in contact’ facility must be used and a reward code must be requested on your initial contact.
 
More details about the rewards process – at the heart of which is ensuring you stay 100% anonymous - can be found here.

20 January 2026