Staff at second-hand luxury stores in Hong Kong fear for safety after robbery

Employees at second-hand luxury goods stores in Hong Kong have voiced fears over their safety after a Tsim Sha Tsui shop was robbed of HK$3 million (US$382,170) worth of Hermes and Van Cleef & Arpels products, with a saleswoman rendered unconscious during the crime.

Security and insurance experts highlighted the importance of insuring luxury goods, installing comprehensive antitheft measures and carrying out staff training to minimise the risk of becoming a target for criminals.

Zoe Chan, an employee at MM Station, a second-hand luxury goods store in the same neighbourhood as the business that was robbed on Wednesday, said she was worried the shop’s security system was not enough to protect staff.

“There is nothing else we can do [in case of a robbery],” she told the Post.

The store on Granville Road is equipped with surveillance cameras, gates at the door that beep if someone leaves with a tagged item and an alarm system that automatically calls police if someone tries to break in. There is also an access control system at the doors.

Mia Chan Wai-shin, co-owner of JM Vintage, a second-hand luxury goods store on Hart Avenue, said staff felt vulnerable despite having comprehensive security measures in place, such as surveillance cameras.

“We are very worried because it [the robbery] happened in the building next to us,” she said. “Whatever we do, no matter how good our door is, the thieves can still break in.

“We told the staff that their own safety is the most important thing. In case of robbery, we can only let the robbers take everything.”

She said the store also considered banning walk-in customers, but dropped the idea due to business concerns. She said she hoped police would increase patrols in the area.

On Wednesday, a man entered a shop at Supreme House on Hart Avenue, rendered a saleswoman unconscious and tied her up before escaping with 14 pre-owned Hermes bags, a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and two mobile phones worth nearly HK$3 million, according to a source.

The saleswoman came around after 10 minutes and was uninjured. A suspect was taken into custody in Thailand and was sent back to Hong Kong. Most of the stolen items were recovered.

Alex Ho Chuck-fung, managing director of security company Ensec Solutions Hong Kong, said it was critical for luxury goods stores to adopt comprehensive security measures that allowed staff to promptly call for help in emergencies and minimised the chance of being targeted.

For example, owners should install a panic button under the counter so employees could alert police silently, he said. They could also consider a mantrap, a small space with two interlocking doors, to limit the access of intruders.

A standard security system could cost less than HK$10,000, he added.

“For luxury bags, some could consider installing an antitheft chain on each bag, which can only be unlocked with a special key. Forcibly cutting the chain will trigger a loud siren,” he said.

“But still, staff members also need to be vigilant, especially when customers enter in groups and outnumber the staff.”

The shop that was robbed also had an alarm siren and a surveillance camera.

Selina Lau Pui-ling, chief executive of the Federation of Insurers, said robbery was typically covered by insurance policies but shops would be required to install some security devices to minimise risks.

“Some insurance companies and brokers specialise in insuring luxury goods – it’s important to find a policy that matches the nature of your goods,” she said.

“The chance of being robbed in Hong Kong is not high, but it’s still important to get insurance because there are other risks such as flooding that could damage your goods.”

Asked whether the incident would lead to higher premiums, she said it depended on the risk assessment, such as whether the security system was strong enough.

In November last year, thieves broke into Ginza Xiaoma, a luxury goods retailer located in a grade A office building in Central, and stole 66 Hermes handbags worth HK$10 million in five minutes.

The company later compensated all clients whose consigned bags were stolen or damaged and vowed to step up security measures. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST