A man is alleged to have swallowed a diamond engagement ring worth £35,000 during an apparent theft attempt at a jewellery store in London’s Hatton Garden. The incident reportedly happened after the man spent nearly two hours browsing at family-owned Elegance Jewellers while posing as a customer.
According to the store, staff realised the platinum ring had disappeared shortly after the man examined it. Although he denied taking it and reportedly invited employees to search his pockets, CCTV footage allegedly showed him placing the ring in his mouth before swallowing it. As he attempted to leave the shop, saying he would return the following day to make a decision, staff challenged him over the missing jewellery.
The jeweller said the man eventually regurgitated the ring after being confronted. The engagement ring, which features a large princess-cut diamond surrounded by smaller stones, was recovered and the suspect was escorted out of the premises by Hatton Garden security. The incident was later reported to the Metropolitan Police.
Junaid Hassan, who runs the family business, said employees initially struggled to believe what they had seen and reviewed the CCTV footage several times before realising what had happened. The store, which has operated in Hatton Garden for more than 30 years, has since urged other jewellers to remain vigilant, claiming the suspect may be a repeat offender. The Metropolitan Police has not publicly commented on the incident.
