Diamond Bourse’s Harry Levy releases statement on heist

The president of the London Diamond Bourse, Harry Levy, has expressed his “delight” after Scotland Yard managed to recover high value articles connected with the Hatton Garden jewellery heist.

He said: “We were all delighted with the wonderful news the Police released regarding the arrests and recovery of a substantial amount of high value articles. Many of us were surprised with the news, some of us thought the police would eventually make some arrests, but did not think they would recover any property.”

Levy said that many in the local jewellery community were “initially frustrated that they were unable to enter the vaults to remove goods from boxes which had not been opened”. However he explained that approximately two weeks after the discovery of the robbery, a small group from the London Diamond Bourse met up with the police, and “explained the vault was a crime scene, goods had been scattered over the floor and they had to collect and collate these goods, as well as obtaining forensic evidence”.

He added: “When we heard the news yesterday we immediately emailed Detective Superintendent Craig Turner, whom we had met in the Bourse, and congratulated him and his team on their wonderful achievementt. I was one of the sceptical members from the trade, but I am glad to have been proved wrong.

“As regards to the recovered goods, those who were uninsured are of course happy to know all or some of their goods should now be returned to them. However, those who are insured, will probably find the insurance companies will now hold back in making any payments, until they know what has and what has not been stolen. This may take some time.”

The London Diamond Bourse said it will continue to work with the Metropolitan Police to give guidance on various agencies that can assist with identifying the property they have recovered with the objective of returning the items to the owners as quickly and smoothly as possible.