Search

Newsletter image

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Join 10k+ people to get notified about new posts, news and tips.

Do not worry we don't spam!

GDPR Compliance

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

Who are the Millennium Dome raid thieves and when did they try to execute the De Beers diamond heist?

Published on April 04, 2025 at 07:41 AM

IN the year 2000, a crew of criminals tried to steal a 350million diamond collection from the Millennium Dome.

The gang of hardened villains opened up about , which is co-executive produced by Guy Ritchie.

The O2 arena with police cars and officers outside.
The De Beers diamond heist at the Millennium Dome was foiled by police
Shattered glass display case with a small object inside.
Robbers smashed the ‘impenetrable' glass housing the diamond
Large pear-shaped diamond on a stand, held in gloved hands.
But the diamonds had been replaced with fakes

On November 7, 2000, a gang of criminals smashed through security barriers at the in broad daylight with a supercharged JCB digger.

Their plan was to steal a De Beers diamond collection worth £350million, before making their getaway in a speed boat.

If the heist hadn't been thwarted by the , it would have been one of the biggest in history.

The Millennium Dome raid thieves were apprehended during a meticulously planned police operation code-named “Operation Magician”;.

More than 200 officers were involved, including armed units disguised as Millennium Dome employees and stationed in hidden locations.

The gang smashed through the Dome’s perimeter fence using a JCB digger, deploying smoke bombs and ammonia in an effort to obscure security measures.

But police waited until they shattered the glass protecting the diamonds — which had been replaced by fakes — before storming the scene.

All of the suspects were arrested within minutes, including accomplices waiting on the River Thames and other nearby locations.

Former armed robber Noel “Razor” Smith revealed how one of the ringleaders of the raid, Bill Cockram, told him in he believed the botched burglary was “cursed”; after two of the perpetrators died.

In 2022, : “He told me, ‘There's a curse on this job like , you know. We're all gonna die off'.”;

Below we take a look at the members of the gang who tried to pull off the Millennium Dome raid.

Lee Wenham

Mugshot of Lee Wenham, convicted of conspiracy to rob.
Lee Whenham was imprisoned for nine years

Lee Wenham, aged 32 at the time of the Millennium Dome raid, was already under suspicion for car theft, drug smuggling and money laundering.

Police surveillance captured him scouting the security gate and visiting the Money Zone exhibition inside the Dome, where the Millennium Jewel collection was displayed.

Wenham played a role in planning the heist and was sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of conspiring to steal the gems, as well as for participating in an earlier failed robbery attempt in Aylesford in July 2000.

Ray Betson

Mugshot of Raymond Betson, convicted in the Millennium Dome robbery.
Raymond Betson was jailed for 18 years

Ray Betson, who was 39 at the time, was one of the masterminds behind the raid and had a history of criminal activity.

He drove the JCB digger used to smash through the Dome’s perimeter fence and walls.

Betson was sentenced to 18 years for his role in the raid, though his sentence was later reduced to 15 years on appeal.

In 2014, he received another 13-year sentence for a failed security depot ram raid.

Robert Adams

Mugshot of Robert Adams, convicted of conspiracy to rob the Millennium Dome.
Robert Adams got 15 years behind bars

Robert Adams, aged 55 at the time, wielded a sledgehammer to break through the reinforced glass protecting the diamonds in the Dome.

He was arrested on-site and later sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Adams had no fixed address at the time of his conviction.

Bill Cockram

Mugshot of Willaim Thomas Cockram.
William Cockram was sentenced to 18 years in prison, but it was reduced to 15 years on appeal

William Cockram, aged 58 at the time, also played a pivotal role in executing the raid.

He used a powerful nail gun to weaken the reinforced glass protecting the diamonds, before Adams smashed it with a sledgehammer.

Cockram was sentenced to 18 years for his involvement, but it was later reduced to 15 on appeal.

Aldo Ciarrocchi

Aldo Ciarrocchi, accused of participating in the Millennium Dome robbery, being arrested.
Aldo Ciarrocchi received a 15-year prison sentence

Aldo Ciarrocchi, aged 30 at the time, threw smoke bombs during the raid to create confusion.

His actions were part of a carefully coordinated plan involving multiple tools and escape strategies.

Ciarrocchi received a 15-year prison sentence following his conviction.

The Diamond Heist

has co-executive produced a three-part series looking into the attempted diamond heist at the Millennium Dome.

The Diamond heist
The poster for Netflix's The Diamond Heist

The series features interviews with both the gang of criminals involved and law enforcement officials who investigated and caught them, offering a comprehensive view of the .

In a first look at the series, Lee Wenham tells the camera: “In July 2000, we had a team and the target with the Millennium Star.

“I don't know anything about diamonds, but I think it was a bit of a piss take putting it where it was — the exciting thing was the diamond.

“I decided to myself it was going to be my last job.

“We needed to figure out how to get inside the vault, get the diamond and get away — if we could pull it off, it would be the biggest heist of all time.”

The Diamond Heist drops on on April 16, 2025.

Prev Article

How I ‘meal-prep’ my outfits to avoid chaotic mornings and fashion disasters – and save money

Next Article

‘It’s so bad’ – Trump calls on France to free Marine Le Pen

Related to this topic:

Comments (0):

Be the first to write a comment.

Post Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *