A security guard who helped detectives rumble a machete raid at a Piccadilly jewellery store last week said it was like “something out of an action movie”.

Islington Gazette: Yair Daren, director of Security Risk Specialists. (Picture: Polly Hancock).Yair Daren, director of Security Risk Specialists. (Picture: Polly Hancock). (Image: Archant)

Eduard Chirila, who works for Clerkenwell firm Security Risk Specialists, arrived at Chronext for his shift as normal at 10.20am on Wednesday.

But he was immediately approached by undercover flying Squad detectives who told him they were expecting a robbery to “They told me to follow the normal procedures,” he Eduard, 38, told the Gazette. “I wasn’t too concerned because it is my job but I was thinking about my duty to keep my colleagues safe, and I have a family as well, you know?

“I know these things can be dangerous and thieves can be armed with knives or guns.”

Eduard acted normal for another hour, though admits his adrenaline was pumping. Then at 11.20am it happened.

Two mopeds and a group of men were pounced on by officers from the Met’s Flying Squad during the attempted robbery, which left one cop with serious injuries.

Eduard’s job was to keep his staff safe, which he did flawlessly, and then help officers detain the gang.

He said: “It only lasted seconds, but it was like something out of an action movie. I’ve dealt with fights and violence while working as a bouncer in Romania, but not like this.

“The police telling me made me prepared. The next day I was a bit concerned because we have a lot of expensive stuff in here. But I’m read every day.”

Eduard’s boss Yair Daren set up Security Risk Specialists in late 2013 after serving as a lieutenant in the Israeli army for four years before moving to London to work in the industry.

He praised Eduard’s work, but emphasised the police officers were the real heroes of the day.

An Islington man is one of four men charged with conspiracy to rob over the raid.

Charlie Kavanagh, 25, of Hedingham Close was also charged with causing injury by dangerous driving.

The other men accused are James Symes, 30, of no fixed abode, Johnny Kyriacou, 25 and Stephen Hopkins, 29, who was also charged with malicious wounding.