NEW YORK WHOLESALE

Jun 3 2012 Exclusive by Russell Findlay

Generic Harrods image

SHOPPING molls Annette Daniel and Jean McGovern cracked one of Britain’s toughest security systems in their £24,000 raid on Harrods.

The luxury store in London’s Knightsbridge is regarded by many professional crooks as too difficult to rob.

But Daniel, 50, and McGovern, 45, who have appalling shoplifting records in Scotland, allegedly escaped with four dresses worth £24,000 by Italian designer Roberto Cavalli and US label Ralph Lauren in a brazen heist.

Security staff identified the pair and three accomplices from CCTV footage, which has been passed to the Metropolitan Police.

A Harrods insider said yesterday: “Security here is the most sophisticated that money can buy yet this lot got in and out without anyone noticing.

“To lose such a high value of stock in one hit is unprecedented and embarrassing. The management are very unhappy and are determined the culprits are brought to justice.”

The theft at Harrods – which is owned by the Qatar royal family – took place on May 14. Clear images of Daniel and McGovern – whose families are among Scotland’s major organised crime gangs – were captured on the store’s CCTV system.

Police suspect the pair were joined by gang members Roberta Burke, 48, Julie Tomlin, 32, and John Thomson.

Other shops in the area were also hit around the same time.

The Harrods source added: “The CCTV is the best money can buy and security staff are not the usual minimum wage types seen in most high street stores.

“They are very well-paid and are often ex-police and military personnel. They operate overtly and undercover throughout the store.”

Daniel is the sister of gangster Jamie Daniel, 54, while McGovern’s cousins include murderer Paul McGovern, 38, and drug dealer Tony McGovern, 35, who was shot dead in 2000.

Six years ago, the Sunday Mail exposed the duo and their skilled team of thieves, who operate across the UK and Europe.

We told how one gang member distracts staff to allow an accomplice to swipe thousands of pounds worth of stock in seconds.

The haul is usually stashed ­elsewhere in the store until it can be picked up by another gang member when they are satisfied the theft has not been spotted.

In Scotland, store bosses and police have despaired at what they see as the Crown Office’s failure to bring Daniel and McGovern to justice.

The pair’s taxpayer-funded lawyers often strike deals with prosecutors which let them walk free while their minions take the rap.

In 2006, a Glasgow sheriff branded Daniel’s long criminal record as “disgusting”.

Last September, she was handed two six-month sentences on consecutive days at Stirling and Aberdeen sheriff courts.

She was freed from Cornton Vale prison in March but immediately returned to high streets and shopping centres.

Last year, we told how Daniel and McGovern had started using wigs and hats to disguise themselves.

It is not the first time that Daniel has targeted Harrods, whose Latin motto Omnia Omnibus Ubique
means All Things for All People, Everywhere.

In 1985, she was arrested as she attempted to leave the store with a stolen haul of suits for her then lover, gangster Ian “Blink” MacDonald.

One source said: “It seems that in the three decades since, she has got better at what she does.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “On May 14, there was a theft from the Ralph Lauren and Roberto Cavalli ladies’ outlets in Harrods. The sum of goods stolen was in the region of £24,000. There are five suspects. There are no arrests but we are investigating.”

Harrods said: “We are unable to comment on any security-related incidents.”

English courts to stop the rampage

Store security chiefs in Scotland hope Daniel and McGovern will get tough justice for the Harrods heist.

One retail security officer said: “Let’s hope the Crown Prosecution Service in England can do what our courts have failed to do and put an end to this.

“This is no victimless crime. Every single thing they steal puts the prices up for shoppers.”

Eight years ago, Nora and Roberta Burke took the blame for a £15,000 haul found in a Glasgow safe house.

It happened again in 2006 when the Burke sisters were both jailed at Glasgow Sheriff Court as McGovern and Daniel were allowed to walk.

Two years ago, the pair went free despite being caught beside a car full of stolen clothes at ­Braehead near Glasgow. Two male gang members were jailed.

And police and shop bosses were furious when prosecutors in Aberdeen inexplicably dropped a major case against the pair. McGovern faced 14 shoplifting and two fraud charges while Daniel faced nine of shoplifting and one of fraud.