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Jess Ma

Harvey Kong

Emily Hung

Hong Kong police have arrested three construction workers on suspicion of stealing HK$90,000 (US$11,510) worth of gold jewellery from a flat at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court where they were carrying out structural reinforcement in the aftermath of the deadly fire last November.
The government said on Friday night that it would review measures to strengthen the protection of residents’ property, hours after angry fire victims demanded it step up security at the site and allow them to return home sooner to collect their belongings.
Brian Chung Chi-keung, an assistant commander of Tai Po district, said police arrested the three labourers, aged 32 to 38, on suspicion of theft while they were performing structural reinforcement work inside a flat at Wang Tai House at about 1.30pm on Thursday.
“During the investigation, police found seven pieces of jewellery worth about HK$90,000 on their persons,” he said. “Police believe that the three men had stolen the items from the unit they were responsible for performing structural reinforcement work in.”
Chung added the force had already contacted the flat’s owner, who confirmed the items were his. Officers also inspected other flats in which the three men had worked, but no additional suspicious discoveries were made, he added.
“The fire at Wang Fuk Court caused many to lose their homes and even their loved ones,” he said. “In this case, the three arrested individuals entered the units to carry out work, only to take advantage of the situation to commit a crime. This behaviour is despicable and the police strongly condemn the actions.”

Chung said the suspects were believed to be the only ones involved in the case, but the force would continue to investigate.
He noted that workers who entered the housing estate were required to register with police, who would accompany them when they entered or exited buildings. Officers would also conduct an inspection after workers left to ensure no suspicious items had been left on site, he said.
Seven of the estate’s eight towers were engulfed in flames last November, killing 168 people, including a firefighter, and displacing thousands of residents.
The fire started at Wang Cheong House before spreading to the other blocks. Some residents told the South China Morning Post on Friday morning they had noticed white lights shining out of several flats in the tower the night before.
A resident whose mother lived in Wang Cheong House said he had reported the matter to police, and a source confirmed on Friday the lights were from officers conducting checks at the estate.
The source said officers had inspected flats across buildings that the arrested workers had accessed since starting work at the estate.
In an open letter addressed to Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung and Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing among others, residents said reports of the burglary had left them feeling shocked, helpless and angry.
“While residents are barred from entry, public works and related personnel are allowed to enter and exit the estate,” they wrote.
“This has not only shattered our confidence in the authorities’ security arrangements, but also proves that there are clear and major loopholes in the current management.”
Residents demanded a public account of the incident, stronger security measures and permission to collect their belongings from their homes earlier than scheduled.
Authorities said in late February residents would be allowed to return to their flats to collect personal belongings by late April, noting that a two-month preparatory period would prioritise safety and that access would be granted in stages.
Expressing concerns about the theft case, a government spokesman said Cheuk had asked the Security Bureau to review procedures with police for authorised personnel to access the estate and introduce enhanced measures to prevent similar incidents.
The government also said that it would announce details on arrangements for residents to collect their belongings within this month.


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Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Police arrest three workers responsible for structural reinforcement at the estate destroyed in blaze


Police arrest three workers responsible for structural reinforcement at the estate destroyed in blaze.


Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong fires and safety

Hong Kong police

Hong Kong society

3 workers arrested over theft at Tai Po fire block, HK$90,000 in jewellery seized

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Police arrest three workers responsible for structural reinforcement at the estate destroyed in blaze

Police arrest three workers responsible for structural reinforcement at the estate destroyed in blaze