Hatton Garden safe deposit burglary: History and Key Facts

In April 2015, an underground safe deposit facility in Hatton Garden, London, owned by Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Ltd., was burgled. According to official sources, the total stolen had an estimated value of up to £14 million (equivalent to £19 million in 2025), of which only £4.3 million (equivalent to £5.9 million in 2025) has been recovered. The burglars entered through a lift shaft over the Easter bank holiday weekend and used a Hilti DD350 industrial power drill to bore through the 50 cm (20 in) thick vault walls.

The heist was planned and carried out by six elderly men who were experienced thieves. All six were arrested, pleaded guilty and received prison sentences in March 2016. Four other men were also tried on suspicion of involvement; three were found guilty and sent to prison, whilst the fourth was cleared. The investigation was assigned to the Flying Squad, and the theft was described as the “largest burglary in English legal history”. The burglary has been the subject of several films and television dramatisations.

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