One of Britain’s most infamous robberies occurred in 1971 on Baker Street in London. The heist was so widely talked about that, just as the more recent Hatton Garden Heist was turned into a film titled The Bank Job.
But why did this robbery become one of the most talked-about, or in some cases, least talked about jobs in British criminal history?
The Robbery
In 1971 a gang of professional, experienced criminals carried out a semi-successful bank raid, which has been talked about for decades.
The gang managed to tunnel into a vault containing hundreds of safe deposit boxes. Of course, this raid was not orchestrated without adequate planning and the gang, in preparation, posed as potential customers one day to scope out the vault.
Now they just had to figure out a way in. To do this, they rented a leather goods shop, Le Sac, located just two doors down from the Baker Street Bank. To get into the bank, undetected, they tunnelled their way below the surface, going under the intervening Chicken Inn Restaurant. Tunnelling isn’t precisely the quietest of methods, so they resolved only to do this during weekends.
Initially, they tried to access the vault using a thermal lance. However, when this failed, they resulted in using explosives.
Upon leaving, the robbers left a cheeky message on the wall that read, ‘Let’s see how Sherlock Holmes solves this one.
A ham radio operator named Robert Rowlands lived in a block of flats on Wimpole Street, not too far from where the robbery occurred. Before bed, around 11:15 pm, he was messing around with the dials on his receiver when he overheard them. He could hear conversations between the robbers inside the bank and their rooftop lookout.
How They Could Have Been Caught
Rowlands contacted the local police. However, they did not take his tip-off seriously and suggested he record the conversations as the robbery progressed. To delve deeper into the intriguing dialogue captured by Robert Rowlands on his tape recorder—which, interestingly, he originally used for learning Spanish— check out this detailed and engaging blog on the Daily Mail that uncovers the Radio Ham’s sensational discovery. Ultimately, these recordings didn’t provide sufficient evidence to identify which bank was being robbed.
After failing to succeed with his local police department, Rowlands contacted Scotland Yard at around 1 am. They immediately sent officers to his flat. By 2 am, a senior officer had instructed radio detector vans to track the gangs’ exact location.
Police checked all of the 750 banks within 10 miles of Rowlands’ receiver. However, even upon checking the Baker Street Bank, the police failed to realise they were in there as the security doors had not been tampered with.
Who were the thieves in Baker Street Robbery
Anthony Gavin, the alleged mastermind of the Baker Street Robbery, was far from a typical criminal. At 38, Gavin was a former British Army Royal Fusiliers known for his discipline, resourcefulness, and teamwork skills. His military background made him the ideal planner for a complex heist, giving him the organisational skills and discipline to manage every detail. But Gavin wasn’t working alone—his team played crucial roles in the operation.
The Baker Street Robbery was a team effort. Each member brought specific talents to this legendary heist. Working closely with Gavin was Reginald “Reg” Tucker, a career criminal and con artist with a talent for blending in. Tucker’s skills in disguise and deception made him perfect for gathering information without arousing suspicion. He helped keep the group’s cover intact while they worked behind the scenes.
Then there was Thomas Stephens, or “Tommy the Glove,” a veteran safecracker and expert locksmith. With his steady hands and extensive knowledge of vault security systems, Stephens was key to accessing the bank’s highly secure vault. Without his expertise, breaching the vault’s defences would have been a nearly impossible task.
The final member of this skilled crew was Alexander Roberts, a tunnelling expert with years of experience on construction sites. Roberts took charge of digging a tunnel from a nearby building into the bank vault, bypassing the bank’s security. His construction experience ensured that their tunnel was stable and hidden from detection, allowing the team safe access to their target.
Together, this team executed one of Britain’s most infamous heists. Each member’s unique skills combined to make the Baker Street Robbery a success, shocking the public and the police.
Success(ish) For The Robbers
Due to the police failings, the robbers could get away with what was reported at the time as £1.5 million in cash and valuables. However, it is now believed that figure was closer to £3 million, and £3 million would be equal to around £58 million in 2024.
Although the robbers were not caught red-handed inside the vault as they could have been, not all of them escaped the law. In January 1973, 4 men were arrested and sentenced. Three of these men received 12-year sentences. 2 of these men appealed this and had their sentence reduced to 8 years, while the other received eight years. Not all of the gang were caught, and only £250,000 of goods was recovered.
Where Are They Now? The Fate of the Baker Street Robbery Crew
After the Baker Street Robbery stunned the nation, the fates of its mastermind and crew took different turns. Despite their meticulous planning, police investigations gradually closed in on the robbers, piecing together evidence from the heist.
Anthony Gavin
The organiser and ex-soldier, faced arrest as detectives linked him to the robbery through intelligence gathered over time. His role as the mastermind of the operation ultimately led to his conviction and imprisonment, and he served time for his part in the heist. After his release, Gavin kept a low profile, and little is known about his life post-prison.
Reginald Tucker
The con artist and disguise expert, also faced prison time as evidence against the crew mounted. His past as a career criminal made him well-known to authorities, and after serving his sentence, he faded from the public eye. It is believed that Tucker remained involved in small-time crime before eventually retiring.
Thomas Stephens
The skilled safecracker, didn’t escape police attention either. His reputation as a master locksmith put him on the police radar early, and he too was convicted. After serving his time, Stephens largely withdrew from public life, likely distancing himself from his criminal past.
Alexander Roberts
The tunnelling expert, was one of the last to be apprehended. His expertise in construction had been crucial to the heist’s success, but it also provided clues that eventually led to his capture. Roberts served his sentence and returned to a quiet life, likely using his skills in legitimate work thereafter.
Times have, of course, moved on from the 1970s and security at safe deposit centres is much tougher to pass through. The Safe Deposit Centre in Manchester is the only centre in the North West to house a Grade 10 Vault. Our security systems are regularly maintained and improved upon to ensure the centre has the highest levels of security available. So, feel at ease while securing your valuables with us and using our state-of-the-art facilities.
Our safe deposit boxes start from as little as £50 on a 3-month contract and come with the choice of electronic or key locking systems and a range of sizes.
Please find out more about our products and the extra services we offer or contact us to request a box. If you have any questions or wish to speak to a team member, call 0161 273 7487