The Antwerp World Diamond Centre Security Office is debuting an integrated anti–tiger kidnapping program with the help of local police.

“We are fortunate that tiger kidnappings don’t happen often, but it’s crucial to prevent this type of crime at all cost,” said Ari Epstein, CEO of AWDC in a statement.  

A “tiger kidnapping” is one in which business owners are kidnapped and forced to retrieve goods. The primary goal of the program is to explain and assist in the prevention and procedures that need to be applied in a tiger kidnapping in progress. The program was tailor-made for the Antwerp diamond industry.

The Antwerp police are offering members of the Antwerp diamond industry a free professional audit by trained specialists.

“Research indicates that prevention measures through adequate organization of home and office security are the most effective ones,” Stephan Van Hauwe, senior security coordinator of AWDC, in a statement. “This first Security Awareness Session on anti–tiger kidnapping marks the start of a series of monthly and ad hoc session, organized by AWDC SO and targeted at all stakeholders of the Antwerp diamond industry.”

JCK