Police release images of vault hit in bold London jewelry heist

LONDON - Police in Britain have released images showing the aftermath of the audacious raid on safety deposit boxes inside London's jewelry district.

Police say the gang gained access by climbing down an elevator shaft. The images released Wednesday show how the gang then drilled through 2 meter-thick (6-foot thick) concrete walls to get to the vault. The burglars then forced open some 70 safety deposit boxes in the heist in Hatton Garden, a street that is home to many jewelry and diamond businesses.

Police found the vault covered with debris and strewn with power tools, including an angle grinder, concrete drills and crowbars.

Police have not put an estimate on how much was stolen.

Some earlier reports estimated the value at $300 million.

The robbery took place over the long Easter weekend and was not detected until businesses reopened.