Shivangi Sinha
Netflix’s ‘The Diamond Heist’ delves into the meticulous planning behind the attempted robbery of the Millennium Star Diamond, orchestrated by Lee Wenham and his team. The diamond was on display as part of an exhibition by the De Beers diamond company, with Tim Thorn serving as the head of security. In the documentary, Thorn discusses the security measures he and his team implemented to protect the exhibit and the actions they took to prevent the robbery. His testimony provided valuable insight into the events of that day and helped viewers better understand how it all unfolded.
Tim Thorn Joined the Efforts of the Police in Apprehending the Millennium Dome Robbers
Air Commodore Timothy Gane Thorn, AFC, FRAeS, commonly known as Tim Thorn, was born on September 21, 1942. Raised in a military family, he spent his early childhood in Atbara, Sudan, as the Second World War was ongoing. He then attended Ipswich School between 1953 and 1961. He went on to have a distinguished career in the Royal Air Force (RAF), serving from 1961 until his retirement in 1995. Following his military service, Thorn took on the role of Head of Security at De Beers, one of the world’s leading diamond companies. When De Beers organized an exhibition at the Millennium Dome, he naturally assumed responsibility for overseeing the security arrangements to protect the Millennium Star diamond along with eleven other rare Blue Diamonds.
Thorn recalled that he was always apprehensive about the exhibition being located in Greenwich, London. For security, the Dome was surrounded by reinforced hexagonal metal walls, supported by sturdy metal pillars designed to withstand impact from even armored vehicles. The vault itself was constructed with equal precision and camera coverage. One detail that stood out in his memory was the €56,000 paid for the specially made glass that encased the diamonds, as it was believed to be virtually impregnable. When police informed him about a potential heist, Thorn immediately joined their efforts and fully cooperated with the investigation. He kept a vigilant eye on the CCTV footage, constantly monitoring for any suspicious activity. He told the police that the chances of the diamond being stolen from the vault were slim, but it could be vulnerable during its transit to Tokyo, Japan.
Thorn admitted that he felt a sense of excitement at the thought of witnessing the criminals being caught in the act and watched the CCTV footage with a mix of anticipation and apprehension on November 7, 2000. He saw the entire operation unfold, including the arrests, and expressed admiration for the precision and detail involved in the robbers’ planning, particularly how they managed to shatter the supposedly “impregnable” glass in just seconds. One of the most significant revelations he shared was that, upon learning of the planned heist, he had advised in September 2000 that the real Millennium Star diamond be swapped with a replica. This precaution meant that even if the thieves had succeeded, they would have walked away with a worthless imitation.
Tim Thorn Started His Own Security Consultancy After Working With De Beers
Tim Thorn remained with De Beers until 2005, after which he retired from his role as Head of Security. Following his retirement, he established his own Security Consultancy Company, focusing primarily on providing expert advice and services to clients in the jewelry retail sector, as well as to diamond and gold mining operations. His work involved assessing security risks, designing safety protocols, and consulting on protective measures to safeguard high-value assets such as precious stones and metals. In January 2010, the Royal Air Force revised its maximum age policy for pilots, and on January 31 of that year, Thorn took his final flight and officially ended his flying career. He continued to run his consultancy business for nearly another decade and stayed professionally active until April 2019. He was 77 years old when he retired.
Tim Thorn’s Achievements as an RAF Officer Are Celebrated Even Today
Tim Thorn’s accomplishments during his time with the Royal Air Force are truly remarkable. Until his retirement in 2010, he also served as a flying instructor with the 6 Air Experience Flight at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. He was given the nickname “Tiger,” and he held the rank of Air Commodore from 1990 onward and was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at HQ RAF Germany the following year. He gained distinction as the first and only Jaguar pilot to achieve a perfect 100% air-to-ground strafe score on seven separate occasions. Throughout his flying career, Thorn survived ten major airborne emergencies, earning a reputation for having “nine lives.” His skill and service were recognized with several honors, including the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air and the prestigious Air Force Cross, awarded in 1982. He also received the Cadet Medal in 2008.
Thorn’s legacy endures, and he remains a respected figure in aviation circles. He has given multiple interviews reflecting on his missions and experiences, including a notable talk at the 2022 Annual Lunch of the Burford & District Society. During some of his interactions with Aircrew Interviews, he has recounted his survival stories from some of the most infamous crashes. He is also an active member of the Aircrew Association, which is a group dedicated to promoting camaraderie and support among former and current RAF aircrews. According to recent reports, he serves as President of the ACA Golfing Society. Despite his storied career, he remains a private individual who tends to keep personal matters out of the spotlight.
Read More: Ray Betson: Where is the Millennium Dome Heist Conspirator Now?
