KMC Forums - Exclusive: Mirror Scuppers plan to steel new book secrets

*From the Daily Mirror*

WE GOT A POTTER PLOTTER

Exclusive: Mirror Scuppers plan to steel new book secrets

Harry Potters most closely guarded secrets were safe last night - thanks to a bit of wizardry by the mirror.

We folied a plot to sell the story line of the schoolboy hero's latest adventure after a copy was "swiped".

Our undercover team sprang into action after we were appriached by a security guard who worked at a distribution warehouse.

Burly Aarron Lambert, 19, demanded �30,000 for a sneak look at Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

The book - sixth in the series - has been surrounded by unpreccendented security and is not due for release until July 6th.

After making our own enquiries, we immediately called in police.

And yesterday, Lambert and a 37-year-old colleague, were arrested in an early morning swoop.

They were being questioned last night at seperate police stations in Northamtonshire after two copies of the book were siezed.

And Bloomsbury Pubishing were delighted that their top seller was still under wraps.

A spokesperson said: "We would like to that the Daily Mirror and Northamtonshire Police for their help in recovering the books."

"We hope nobody will spoil the excitement for all Harry Potetr fans who are looking froward to reading thge new book." The real-life cloak and dagger drama began when Lambert phoned the Mirror, claiming to have a copy of the book.

A reporter and photographer arranged to meet him at his flat in Kettering, Northantis.

And he was soon boasting how he allegedly evaded the massive security.

"It was very hard," he said. "They've even got foreign contract workers in there so the staff dont know what its all about."

"The whole warehouse is on camera."

Lambert said he could reveal crucial information about the plot line - including whether one of the main characters dies.

He added to the mirror: "I want real money for this, I'm not messing about."

"i want cash and i want it now. For �30,000 you can walk out of here with the book. If you wont pay up then i'll sell it to someone else."

Lambert bought his friend - a 6ft 3ins bouncer called Chris - to allegedly help negotiate a deal.

He explained the book was being printed overseas to advoid the possibility of leaks and sad crates full of copies had been brought over to the UK ready to be sentto bookstores next month.

He said: "They're doing everything they can do to stop people getting hold of it."

Lambert showed us pictures taken with his mobile phone camera of the books piled highin the warehouse.

The jacket of his security guard uniform was hanging over the back of a chair in his living room.

He claimed at that point he only had one copy of the novel - an adult version published by Bloomsbury at �16.99. He claimed he smuggled it out without being seen.

Lambert is also believed to have shown another book to another national newspaper.

He later claimed their reporter had tried to ****** it from him.

Lambert clung to his hope of retaining the book even when confronted by the police.

As he was escorted away, he left a copy under the menacing gaze if his rotweiller Samantha - but it was eventually retrieved by officers.

Detectives were speaking to the bosses of the distribution company yesterday about tightening security still further.

They want to find out how the book was obtained, and whether any more copies of the 600 page fantasy novel are missing.

Police confirmed last nigth that - as a result of information supplied by the mirror - two men, aged 19 and 37, had been arrested over the alleged theft of Harry Potter books.

Chief Supt Dean Smith said, "The Mirror has behaved exceptionally honourably in bringing about the arrest of these people."

He added."The books are now safely under lock and key."