Diamonds worth at least 350 million pounds (504 million dollars) which were targeted by raiders in a foiled robbery Tuesday had been replaced a day earlier with fakes, said De Beers, the firm which supplied the gems.
The precaution was taken after police from Scotland Yard's elite Flying Squad were tipped off about the raid, at London's Millennium Dome where the precious stones are on show, several months ago.
About 100 police were lying in wait when the raiders struck Tuesday.
Four people were arrested inside the Dome and two on the River Thames nearby, where the robbers had a powerboat waiting to speed them from the scene, Scotland Yard said.
Another five men were arrested separately after two raids by armed police in Kent, southeast England – LONDON (AFP)
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