British police investigating a £40 million jewellery robbery have arrested a 50-year-old man.
The man was arrested outside a house in Ilford, east London, on Monday. He has since been released on bail.
A spokesman said investigators are examining several new lines of inquiry after CCTV images of two robbers at the Mayfair shop were released.
Police have also undertaken a series of raids at properties in the London area as part of their inquiry.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Following the release of CCTV images of two men they want to speak to, officers are currently following up a number of inquiries. Officers searched a number of addresses yesterday."
“A 50-year-old man was arrested for robbery on Monday in connection with the incident outside a residential address in Ilford. He has been subsequently bailed pending further inquiries.”
Two armed men made off with 43 items of jewellery worth almost £40 million in a raid at Graff Jewellers in London’s West End last Thursday.
The men, who were helped by a series of getaway drivers, are believed to be responsible for the biggest gems heist in British history.
The smartly dressed robbers arrived in a black taxi before conning their way past security guards at the prestigious New Bond Street shop.
Once inside they pulled out handguns and threatened staff before snatching expensive rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches from a cabinet.
The men fired a warning shot outside the Mayfair store before escaping in a blue BMW and then several other vehicles.
They also brought a woman staff member outside with them. She was released unharmed. A second warning shot was fired as they changed vehicles nearby.
Scotland Yard has issued CCTV images of the two men as they entered the store.
They believe at least two others helped with the getaway.
Detective Chief Inspector Pam Mace said the pair were “extremely dangerous”.
She said: “This was a well planned robbery with a number of vehicles used to help the robbers escape.
“These men are extremely dangerous and fired at least two shots in busy London streets as they made their getaway. Someone knows who these men are.
“They would undoubtedly have spoken about it beforehand or boasted about it afterwards.”
Police also released images of some of the jewellery stolen in the raid, including a pair of white round diamond double hoop earrings.
Other items taken included a yellow diamond flower necklace, platinum white Marquise diamond ring and a Chronograph men’s 45mm watch.
Police said both men were well-dressed, aged in their 30s and spoke with London accents.
The first was white, about 6ft tall, of slim build, with dark hair and a well-combed side parting. He was wearing a grey suit, white shirt and tie.
The second man is black, about 6ft tall, more well-built than the first suspect, with very short Afro hair. He was also wearing a grey suit, white shirt and tie.
The heist dwarfs what is thought to be Britain’s previous biggest jewellery robbery, a £23 million raid at the same store in 2003.
Two Serbians, part of the Pink Panther gang, held up staff with a revolver. One gang member was wrestled to the ground as he fled and was later jailed.
In 2007, jewellery worth up to £10 million was stolen from a branch of Graffs Diamonds in London’s Sloane Street by two men posing as customers.
The men arrived in a chauffeur-driven Bentley Continental Flying Spur before threatening staff at gunpoint.
Anyone with information should contact Barnes Flying Squad on 020 8247 4804 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
PA