Selfridges smash-and-grab video: Gang wearing full-length burkas caught during raid Eyewitness tells MailOnline: 'They looked professional. They did not say a word to each other Police praise efforts of have-a-go shoppers who detained suspects By Ben Spencer and Tom Gardner An eyewitness has described the dramatic moment he filmed a gang of armed robbers dressed in burkas stealing tens of thousands of pounds of jewellery in a daring daylight smash-and-grab raid. Stunned Khalid Samata - speaking exclusively to the MailOnline - said he heard an enormous bang and turned his camera phone on to video figures wearing Islamic dress axing their way into display cabinets at Selfridges department store in central London. Mr Khalid, 30, said: 'I heard two loud bangs. The first sounded like someone had fallen from the first floor through a display cabinet. The second sounded more like a gunshot. Scroll down for exclusive video Smash and grab: An eyewitness films one of the burka-clad robbers fleeing Selfridges Caught on camera: This still from the camera phone video shows one of the robbers running for the exit after taking part in an audacious raid on one of London's most famous department stores Escape: The burka-clad raider clutches what appears to be an axe while fleeing the scene Everyone started screaming and running away. I knew it was a robbery when I looked down from the floor above and saw people breaking into the cabinets. Mr Khalid, who works in the French consulate and was shopping with his girlfriend and friend, added: 'I was shocked when I realised they were all wearing burkas. The robbers seemed very professional. They did not say a word to each other. They were silent. I turned my camera on and managed to film some of the people in burkas running out of the store. Two suspected robbers were seized by passers-by after the raid, yesterday evening. Praised: Police paid tribute to member of the public who managed to detain two smash and grab suspects Going nowhere: Heroic members of the public tackle and then pin a suspected armed robber to the ground The men, one dressed in a burka and the other wearing a motorbike helmet, were held down until armed police arrived soon afterwards and arrested them. Law student Mohammed Hussein, 29, was today hailed a hero after dashing out of the Italian pizzeria where he works and pinning the suspected thief to the ground until armed police arrived. Chef Yassin Eleora, 29, who works with Mohammed at ICCo pizzeria, dashed outside after hearing a loud crash. He said: 'I saw people running into the road, there was a motorbike lying in the road and two people with black motorbike helmets were lying nearby. One of them was wearing a burka. One of the men got up and began running away up the street but Mohammed ran after him. Mohammed tried to grab him but the man punched him and started wrestling him trying to get free. But Mohammed is really strong and he managed to keep hold of him, wrestled him to the floor and pulled his motorbike helmet of. He is a big guy, it was unlucky for that man that Mohammed was there. He is a real hero - he put himself in danger to stop those guys. 'I spoke to Mohamed afterwards, he said he wasn't scared. I told him he could have got hurt but he said instinct just took over. Witness Chloe Vaidya, 27, who was with a friend in a nearby pub, said: 'We heard people shouting and running towards the moped. One of the men who was next to the bike looked to have a broken leg. Further up the street was another man who was being sat on. Aftermath: Paramedics treat one of the suspected robbers, next to a crashed scooter, who took part in a smash and grab on Selfridges department store in central London Destruction: A man looks at the damage left after an armed robbery at Selfridges on Oxford Street, London Evidence: A forensic officer photographs the wreckage in Selfridges left after an armed robbery Today, the have-a-go heroes who tackled members of a burka-clad armed gang as they fled were praised by police. DCI Andy Noyes, from the Flying Squad, said: 'We are at an early stage in our investigation, but I would like to hear from anyone who was on Oxford Street last night or nearby who may have seen the robbery or the men making their escape. A twitter picture of two large yellow handled axes spotted near the shop after the incident This was a brazen robbery, and appears to have been well planned and thought through. Fortunately no one was injured. The store was very busy and this will have been a shocking thing for people to witness. 'I'd like to thank those members of the public who stepped in and detained our two suspects. Their quick thinking and brave actions have helped our investigation. Asked about witness reports that the offenders had disguised themselves as rich Arab women with designer handbags, Mr Noyes said it was unclear whether this was the case or whether they were simply the large holdalls they used to take away the watches. A spokeswoman for Selfridges said it was not yet known exactly what had been stolen. She added that the store had been open for business as usual today. Officers are in the process of interviewing witnesses to the robbery and seizing CCTV. Additional police remain in the area of Oxford Street. Detectives asked to hear from anyone who was in or around Selfridges last night who witnessed the robbery - which they described as taking 'planning and preparation' - or may have seen the men in the time running up to the robbery or as they made their escape. Targeted: The gang of armed robbers targeted Selfridges Department Store on Oxford Street - one of London's best know shops at the heart of the capital's busiest area Anyone with any information is asked to call Crimestoppers, which can be done anonymously, on 0800 555 111.