Curtain falls on diamond exhibition after theft fears

Curtain falls on diamond exhibition after theft fears

	Published : Fri, 25 Nov 2005 01:35 By : Paula Demarzio Print this Story

The world’s largest diamond exposition at London’s Natural History Museum was shut down three months early following Scotland Yard's Flying Squad advice on Tuesday to the organisers on a threat of robbery.

Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: “We have received information that leads us to believe that criminals were planning to target the exhibition.”

Dr Michael Dixon, director of the Natural History Museum, said: “Police indicated a heightened criminal risk to the exhibition. The museum's priority is the safety and security of our visitors and staff.”

Scotland Yard had warned that public safety would be at risk if the exhibition remained open. The show, which has attracted more than 70,000 visitors since its opening in July, had more than 100 exhibits gathered from around the world. Many rare collections of gems were on display and the theme behind the show was to explain the science of natural production of diamonds.

Rare exhibits included the Steinmetz Pink, which is considered to be the largest pink flawless diamond in the world; the Ocean Dream, world’s largest naturally occurring largest deep blue-green diamond; and the Incomparable, known to be third largest cut diamond ever at 407.48 carats.

Among other attractions was the De Beers Millennium Star, pear-shaped diamond of 203-carats, which was targetted in a foiled heist on the Millennium Dome at Greenwich, in 2000. It was again on display for the first time since that incident.

According to Scotland Yard, the robbery plan in 2000 was thwarted as detectives were on the gang’s trail and they managed to isolate the area of the Dome before they came in. The gang was busted then. However, this time round, the police do not know when the thieves are planning to strike.

The remaining section of the National History Museum will be open to visitors as usual and those who bought tickets for the diamond exhibition will be refunded.