Robberies Plague Hong Kong Show
September 18, 03Even though it’s only day two of the Hong Kong Show, thieves have already managed to make away with hundreds thousands of dollars worth of diamonds and jewels. Today, Belgium diamond exhibitors were the latest victims of the crime wave sweeping the show. On the opening day some US $800,000 worth of goods were stolen. In one case $100,000 worth of jewelry was swiped whilst it was being delivered to the show grounds.
According to a Hong Kong Police spokeswoman, during the first day of the trade fair, two pearl necklaces were also stolen, along with a parcel of 13 diamonds worth $75,000. Last night, police were questioning some 10 security guards at the show, but as yet, no arrests have been made.
Since the last show, exhibitors, shippers and insurers have been calling for much stricter security measures to be implemented at the fair. “It’s just a nightmare there for us,” stressed a representative of a major shipping company. “We have called on show management again and again to put in place much more stringent security measures, but they have yet to do so, and this has been the result.”