Hatton Garden vault where gold and jewels worth £14m were stolen is to be dismantled and re-built in the Museum of London
EastEnders actor Larry Lamb visits vault ahead of film role as heist ringleader after museum announces installation
EASTENDERS star Larry Lamb visited the site of the Hatton Garden Heist ahead of the vault becoming a museum installation as he prepares for his upcoming role as the heist's ringleader.
The gang – nicknamed “Dad’s Army” due to their old age – managed to escape with £14million worth of goods from the safety deposit during a planned heist over the Easter break last year.
Four men out of eight involved used a drill to bore their way into the vault wall, before stealing 73 boxes containing gold, diamonds and sapphires.
Enders actor Lamb, 69, will play the role of the “guv’nor” Brian Reader, who was sentenced to six years behind bars for his role in the heist.
The star visited the site of the heist on Monday as the Museum of London revealed it would take teams a whopping six years to move the vault and wall to the museum so members of the public can see how the burglary was pulled off.
Deposit boxes emptied by the gang, the wall they drilled through to gain access to the vault and the cast iron door that was supposed to keep it secure have been donated to the museum by millionaire owner David Pearl.
Museum curator Jackie Keily told: “We have been offered the vault for the collection and it's a very exciting opportunity.
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“The Hatton Garden robbery really caught the imagination of the public – it's immensely interesting.
“There are obviously logistical issues and we have had one site visit so far to assess it."
She continued: “We are hoping to present all the sides to the story, the investigation and policing side is equally as interesting and lots of people were affected by it, such as the businesses whose goods were in there.”
A spokesperson said it is unlikely the exhibition will be installed before the Museum of London moves to its new West Smithfield location in six years.
Mr Pearl, who bought the lease to the vault for £200,000 in December, said this year: “The robbery is an incredible part of London's recent history and it would make a great visitor attraction.
“People would flock to it.”
The Hatton Garden Job looks set for release in December this year.
The film’s cast includes Quadrophenia's Phil Daniels, Downton Abbey star Matthew Goode, Nip/Tuck actress Joely Richardson, Game Of Thrones' Clive Russell and True Blood actor Stephen Moyer.
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