One hundred years ago
It appears that the diamond merchants of Hatton Garden are in the habit of sending quantities of diamonds in registered letters throuigh the Post Office, insuring them with insurance offices at the rate of Is. 3d. per £100. Some members of the criminal class knew this, and knew also that a large amount was to be transmitted on Wednesday. On that day, therefore, at five p.m., they transacted business in the Hatton Garden Post Office, turned off the gas, seized two bags with £80,000 worth of diamonds in them, and escaped. The post office has a lady for superintendent and ladies for clerks, and they seem to have been paralysed by the rush, though the superintendent flung her arms round some valuable bags on the counter.
Spectator, 19 November 1881
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