Fool’s Gold: The Story of the Brink’s-Mat Robbery

An armoured security van rounds a corner. Unidentified location.

A car overtakes the van, forcing it to a halt, as another pulls up behind.

Whilst the robbers attempt to break into the van, a lorry draws up.

This looks like the same wall at the north end of Hoskins Street. SJ

One of the gang turns his gun to point at the lorry driver as other members struggle to rob the van.

Traffic builds up behind the lorry as the heist continues. Alan Draghi places this as Hoskins Street, London SE10. (RL)

Reverse pov of capture 3. SJ

Police sirens are heard as the loot is loaded into the getaway car and Micky McAvoy (Sean Bean) walks towards the lorry driver. Crowleys Wharf, Greenwich, London SE10 says Alan Draghi. (RL)

Looking west. SJ

Taking the lorry driver's keys, McAvoy throws them into the river before the gang make their escape. Crowleys Wharf, Greenwich, London SE10 again says Alan Draghi. (RL)

The keys are probably still there. SJ

A police car approaches the traffic standing behind the disabled lorry. Alan Draghi also places this as Hoskins Street, London SE10 but a reverse POV to foogo005. (RL)

The same curve in the road and that's it. SJ

A panning shot starts as the credits roll. Looking across Aragon Gardens to Pelican House, Bowditch, London SE8, with Daubeney Tower rising behind, found by Steve Randall.

The shot settles outside McAvoy's house where Jimmy Kimpton pulls up outside. Longshore, London SE8. (SR)

Jimmy Kimpton (Trevor Byfield) tries to persuade McAvoy to pull another job. Columbia Road in London E2.

A closer view of the property. (PW)

McAvoy walks away from fence Kimpton after complaining about how the last operation went. Columbia Road.

The same location now. Further along the road is a location seen in 'The Krays'.

At Heathrow Airport, a Brink's-Mat armoured van arrives outside the warehouse. Unidentified location.

With McAvoy on board, planning goes ahead for the next robbery as Bernie Clarke (Stephen Frost) is released from prison. Wormwood Scrubs on Du Cane Road, London W12.

Still 5mph sign but the crest's been nicked. SJ

Clarke walks free after eight years to be met by McAvoy and Brian Robinson. Wormwood Scrubs has appeared in many productions including 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square', 'Three Sundays to Live', 'The Big Job', 'Go to Blazes', 'Jungle Street', 'Nothing Barred', 'Frenzy', 'Dr. Crippen', 'The Devil Inside', 'Hot Millions', 'Morgan, a Suitable Case for Treatment', 'Rotten to the Core' and 'Three Steps to the Gallows'.

Looks like a longer drive: all do with the lens, he says "technically". SJ

Customers leave The Fisherman's Arms whilst, inside, final preparations are made for the robbery. Unknown location.

Panning and tilting upwards from the previous capture, the camera finds the window of the room where the gang members plot.

The gates of the warehouse stand open following the biggest robbery in Britain.

McAvoy leaves the Fisherman's Arms after a tense meeting with the gang that, unexpectedly, netted £26 million in gold bullion.

Kimpton meets with McAvoy after their inside man at the warehouse is kept in police custody. Steve Cook advises that this is Royal Victoria Dock in E16 taken from the Excel side with the Tate & Lyle factory in the distance.

McAvoy is told to 'leg it' before it's too late. Located by Steve Cook, this is Royal Victoria Dock with Spillers and Millennium Mills across the water.

After McAvoy and Robinson are identified and detained, McAvoy's Wife is driven to Brixton Prison by Kimpton. Unidentified location.

Undercover police watch as Jackie McAvoy (Sharon Maiden) gets out of the car and crosses the road.

Jackie enters the prison gate to visit her husband.

Kimpton heads to see crime boss The Brother and asks him to help spring McAvoy from prison. Columbia Road, London E2.

The view from street level. (PW)

As Kimpton enters the building, a plain clothes officer walks past. Columbia Road in Tower Hamlets.

Filming seems to have taken place from an upper floor of the school opposite. (PW)

After The Brother agrees to help, Jimmy Kimpton drives to meet with a contact.

Riverside in Twickenham, Middlesex. (PW)

Kimpton gets out of his car and looks across at the contact's house. Facing Eel Pie Island from the end of Church Lane, Riverside in Twickenham.

The buildings on Eel Pie Island have been replaced or rebuilt. (PW)

A Detective watches as Kimpton crosses the bridge from the island.

The bridge across to Eel Pie Island from The Embankment in Twickenham. (PW)

Kimpton returns from the rendezvous.

The same bridge over the Thames on a sunny July day. (PW)

A boatman rows out into the Thames after Kimpton departs.

The same stretch of water now. (PW)

The Detective watches the boatman as Kimpton drives away. The Embankment in Twickenham. A location that appears in 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square', 'Fumo di Londra', ‘Strictly Confidential’ and ‘Dunkirk’.

The River Thames seen from the junction of Church Lane, Riverside and The Embankment. (PW)

A helicopter brings Ross to meet with Kimpton and receive payment for the jail break. Millennium Mill on the south side of the Royal Victoria Dock in West Silvertown, London E16. The building was also seen in 'Madhouse' and 'The Sandwich Man'.

During an exercise period, Micky McAvoy and Brian Robinson (Brian Croucher) walk through the prison yard. Unidentified location.

Police watch as the gold is moved from it's hiding place. Unknown location.

When McAvoy is transferred to Winchester Prison before being sprung, Kimpton returns to see The Brother. Columbia Road E2.

The same location now. (PW)

Kimpton arrives to see Kenny Noye at The Brother's insistence. Unidentified location.

A sample of gold from the robbery is taken to the highly experienced and well placed fence.

Noye drives Kimpton and the gold to a group of outbuildings in the countryside. Unknown location.

Kenneth Noye (Larry Lamb) leads Kimpton into a shed where the gold will be recast to hide it's markings.

After Clarke is found not guilty, Kimpton visits him on the Costa del Sol whilst McAvoy and Robinson begin their 25 year sentence. Unidentified location.

Coles (Rob Spendlove) greets Kimpton at the gates of the Spanish villa.

Bernie Clarke languishes in the pool as Coles brings Kimpton through the villa.

Under the watchful eye of undercover officers, another load of gold is about to be shipped to Noye. Paddington station, London W2.

Not easy to find a seat here now. (PW)

After briefcases are exchanged, one of the couriers boards a train. Platform 1 at Paddington station in W2. The terminus can be seen in 'West 11', 'Return to Yesterday, 'Murder She Said', 'A Severed Head', 'Joanna', 'Dr. Terror's House of Horrors', 'Layer Cake' and 'The White Bus' amongst several other productions.

No train at the platform in this comparison. With acknowledgement to the Network Rail staff at Paddington. (PW)

The briefcase containing the bullion is taken from the station. Paddington station, Praed Street, London W2.

Taken from the bottom of a now closed stairway on platform 1. With thanks to the Network Rail staff at Paddington station. (PW)

After reading about Noye's capture, McAvoy tells Robinson that their appeal is jeopardised and speaks with his solicitor about doing a deal.

After the two prisoners agree to hand back their half of the gold, Jimmy Kimpton drives to visit Kathy, McAvoy's girlfriend. Unknown location.

Kimpton gets out of his new car at Kathy's new house.

Kathy (Eve Bland) greets Kimpton before telling him of McAvoy's deal with Deputy Assistant Commissioner Worth.

With the aim of investing their cut, The Brother takes Kimpton along to meet with a Businessman (David Peart) in London's Docklands. Royal Victoria Dock in E16 again, advises Steve Cook, with Spillers and the Millennium Mills in the background.

Detective Chief Superintendent Brian Boyce (Michael Redfern) and Deputy Assistant Commissioner Brian Worth (Jeremy Child) look for Georgie Bishop who is the agreed go-between for the handover of the gold. South Bank in London SE1 with Hungerford Bridge in the background.

At least Hungerford Bridge is the same! (RL)

The two high ranking officers spot Kimpton, who betrays McAvoy by changing the terms of the deal.

Even the sculpture has gone. (RL)