Gangs descend on charity book sale

Second-hand textbook syndicates abused a charity textbook sale held by World Vision yesterday by buying books in bulk to resell later at a profit.

The 10-day sale, held in East Point City in Tseung Kwan O, attracted parents and students.

It was estimated they could save about 50 per cent on textbook costs when buying second-hand books at the fair, while money the charity received from them would be spent to help children on the mainland.

But the sale also attracted unwelcome customers. Gangs of teenagers flocked to the venue and took piles of books off the shelves.

Some stayed for hours and were spotted taking books required by students for different stages of studies. Others were seen taking multiple copies of the same textbook, apparently to meet demand from other students.

They openly admitted they were not buying the books for themselves.