THE BRUTAL murders of jeweller Mohammed "Tony" Karim and his wife Bilquis in their shop have stunned local jewellers.

The wealthy couple were well-known throughout the jewellery and pawnbroking trade.

Their mutilated bodies were found by their two sons in a back room at their shop in Church Street, Preston, on Friday. The family's other shop, Tony and Sons Auctioneers and Valuers in Lynwood Road, Blackburn, has remained closed since the tragedy.

And rumours in the trade suggest the Karim family may have been the victims of some sort of vendetta as their business had been targeted by raiders three times before the murders. Kenneth Ainsworth, of Ainsworth and Sons, Darwen Street, Blackburn, said: "Our sympathy goes out to Mr and Mrs Karim's family.

"Although I didn't know him personally we are all in the same line of business and we have to be so careful. We were the victims of a smash and grab last year so we stepped up security."

Another business associate, who did not want to be named, said: "I've known Tony and the boys for more than 20 years, they were such a close family."

Tony Beck, manager of A and B Pawnbrokers, of Peel Street, Accrington, said: "Being in this business we always have to be totally aware of security problems. Our shop is very secure with double doors and we have to take extra precautions as, being pawnbrokers, a lot of the jewellery doesn't actually belong to us." Craig Hall, of Vall Hall Silver and Gold, King William Street, Blackburn, said: "It is frightening what happened to Mr and Mrs Karim. In the jewellery business we know we have to be very security conscious.

"I can't say I am surprised though. as our own trade press is full of stories about jewellery reps and store staff being attacked. It is only when people tragically die that this sort of thing gets national press coverage."

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