Thieves steal £150k worth of Pop Mart toys
A shipment of the viral toy Hirono was intercepted by thieves in the early hours of April 8 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, just weeks before they were to be released to UK shops.
The crime is the second in a month targeting expensive toys, after £20,000 worth of Jellycat stuffed animals were stolen from an independent store in Cheddar, Somerset, on March 30.
Criminal groups are becoming increasingly aware of the collectable toy market, experts warn, because of the prices these figurines fetch online.
Hirono, a small plastic figurine that resembles a small boy in a range of different costumes, was due to go on sale in May.
Pop Mart also makes Labubu, figurines that resemble monsters, which are loved by celebrities, including former Love Islander Olivia Atwood, who posted a video unboxing one.
Dua Lipa and Rihanna are also known to enjoy the toys, designed by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung.
The toys retail from £30 but have sold on eBay for as much as £1,000. The most valuable is the £164 Monsters Zimono I Found You doll, according to the Pop Mart website.
A spokesman for Pop Mart said he was 'deeply saddened' by the 'recent rise in toy theft', adding that he was 'working diligently' to ensure it didn't impact the launch next month.
A spokesman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: 'Police are investigating following a theft from a motor vehicle in Hemel Hempstead.
'Between 1.30am and 5.27am on Tuesday April 8, a trailer curtain was cut on a HGV parked on Eaton Road, causing extensive damage. A large number of items were reported stolen.'
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