LOOKBACK THE HEIST IN NUMBERS
• £200 million+ – estimated value of the De Beers Millennium diamond collection
• 100+ officers – involved in the Flying Squad’s operation on the day
at the heart of the collection
• 7 November 2000 – the date the heist was foiled
• 18 years – the longest sentence handed down to gang members
• 0 – diamonds stolen, shots fired, or members of the public harmed
• 203 carats – size of the Millennium Star, the flawless gem
been foiled without a single civilian hurt and without a single shot fired. The Dome raid was immediately hailed
as one of the most successful proactive policing operations ever mounted in the UK. The scale of the preparation, the accuracy of the intelligence, and the flawless execution on the day made it a textbook example of how policing at its best can stop crime before it happens. Assistant Commissioner Alan Fry of the Flying Squad called it “a triumph of policing” and praised the bravery of the officers who took part. “This was not just about recovering jewels,” he said at the time, “it was about protecting the public from a dangerous gang who would have stopped at nothing.” The suspects were later convicted of
conspiracy to rob and sentenced to long prison terms. For the Flying Squad, it was a proud addition to a storied history of taking down Britain’s most audacious criminal enterprises. Looking back from today, the Millennium Dome heist remains a defining moment in modern British policing. It captured the public imagination, inspiring documentaries, books, and even film scripts. But for those who were there, the real legacy lies in the professionalism and teamwork that ensured the operation succeeded. It demonstrated the importance of
intelligence-led policing, of specialist units, and of patient, methodical investigation.
24 | POLICE | OCTOBER | 2025
“It was the first time a British police unit had been assigned to an overseas trouble-spot but by no means the last.”
It showed how coordination between surveillance teams, armed response units, and local officers can create a seamless web of protection. And perhaps most importantly, it showed that crime prevention — stopping harm before it occurs — is
the greatest victory of all. As we mark the 25th anniversary, it’s worth remembering that the Dome heist could have been remembered as the greatest robbery of all time. Instead, it is remembered as one of policing’s finest hours. For the officers who donned disguises, lay in wait, and acted decisively that day, it remains a badge of honour. For today’s generation of officers, it remains an enduring reminder that even in the face of audacious criminality, policing donewell can quite literally change the course of history.
TIMELINE OF THE MILLENNIUM DOME HEIST
• Early 2000: Kent Police provides intelligence to the Flying Squad
• Spring–Summer 2000: Surveillance teams track the suspects as they
about a gang planning a major robbery.
• October 2000: Police confirm the Millennium Dome is the intended
• 7 November 2000, 10:00am: A stolen JCB digger smashes into
target.
• Minutes later: Armed officers pounce, arresting the gang before
the Dome as the gang attempt their heist.
• 2001: Gang members convicted of conspiracy to rob, receiving
they can reach the diamonds. sentences of up to 18 years. scout targets and conduct test runs.
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