led by Valerio Viccei (1955-2000), a lawyer's son who arrived in London in 1986 from his native Italy, where he was wanted for 50 armed robberies. Once in London, he quickly resumed his robbery career to fund his playboy lifestyle. On this occasion he secured inside help, obtaining the help of the managing director of the centre, Parvez Latif, a cocaine user, who was heavily in debt.

On the day of the robbery, two men entered the Knightsbridge Safe Deposit Centre and requested to rent a safe deposit box.