Jewellers hit in £400,000 robbery

The victims, who are from Hong Kong and aged 31 and 23, had diamond rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets stolen, along with their passports and credit cards.

Hotel manager Hussain Syed was in reception when he heard a commotion outside. He said: "It was such a strange series of events. One of our guests came in and shouting: 'There's a robbery taking place. Call the police.' So I did.

"I went outside and it was all over. They said how much they had stolen and I was shocked. They are such big businessmen but they chose to stay in my B&B. I don't know why - they should have been in the Sheraton or the Hilton."

The two men arrived at the hotel five days before the attack on November 18 and left three days after. They spent their days visiting other jewellery dealers in central London offering them samples of their gems in an effort to make new business contacts. They told Mr Syed that all they had stolen was covered by insurance.

Mr Syed added: "I have never heard of one incident in my hotel - not one theft of luggage or anything. But if I had £400,000 worth of jewellery, I wouldn't stay somewhere like this. It just doesn't make sense."

The four suspects, who drove off in their silver car with registration R29 RTS, were all white and wearing dark clothing and masks covering their lower faces. Police are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at around 9.40am on November 18 to contact Hounslow Police on 0208 247 6160 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.