On a quiet street in Hatch End, northwest London, the burglary that shattered Darshana’s home did more than steal her family’s gold. It stole her sense of safety.
When she returned that January evening, drawers had been ripped open, her four-year-old daughter’s belongings strewn across the floor, and the small gold earrings and chains that marked milestones in their lives were gone.
Within weeks, her neighbour Shivani was targeted in the same way. Balcony doors forced open. Gold jewellery missing. Watches gone. Cash was left behind. Diamonds were untouched. The thieves, it seemed, had come for one thing. Gold.
“It felt obvious they were looking for gold,” Shivani said.
Abhinav, who lives nearby, said three burglaries struck his immediate neighbourhood within four months. Police told residents theirs was the seventh reported that week.
These stories from Hatch End are a part of an overwhelming trend being observed across the UK. Just scrolling through Instagram, you will find several reports of snatching, burglary, robbery and what not and while su ch crimes have recently reported a downward trend, the victims are not isolated and the impact of such crimes is as real as it gets.
Community being targeted for their gold?
Across parts of London and the UK, South Asian families say they are being singled out by organised burglary gangs that know exactly what to look for and when to strike. Many believe criminals are exploiting cultural traditions of keeping gold at home, watching routines and waiting for the right moment.
In one recent incident, a woman in north-west London had £2,000 worth of gold snatched while she was at a bus stop. In December 2024, distinctive gold jewellery worth £500,000 was stolen from a home in south-east London. More recently, police dismantled a gang accused of targeting jewellery belonging to London’s Indian community.
Darshana said the experience left her feeling targeted because of her identity as a South Asian. “What was even more upsetting was the response we received from people. Many said this happens especially to Indian families, particularly during festive periods. We never expected that living in London we would be targeted because of our identity.
“People also questioned why I had jewellery at home at all. They said I might have been targeted because I wore jewellery outside. But this is part of our culture. I bought it to wear it. I should not be punished for that.
“These are the kinds of comments I have been hearing for the past two months, that someone may have seen my ring somewhere, followed me home, marked my address and then robbed us. Hearing all this has been deeply distressing.”
In Shivani’s case, the burglars forced open the balcony door, entered the property and took only gold items. “It was gold rings, earrings — everything made of gold. They left the diamonds, which made it seem like they were specifically targeting gold. They did not even take the cash, which was a bit strange.”
In Harrow alone, there were about 1,158 reported burglaries in 2025, equivalent to roughly 4.0 to 4.4 offences per 1,000 residents. Burglaries make up a significant share of property crime in the borough, accounting for approximately 4 to 5 per cent of all recorded offences.
Insurance industry data also points to the scale of the issue. Home insurance claims analysed by Allianz UK recorded around 2,800 claims for stolen gold and jewellery between January 2021 and 2025, with an average claim value of about £8,000 and one claim exceeding £82,000. Insurers noted these thefts frequently occur during January and the winter months.
Police forces in parts of England have also reported increases in high-value gold burglaries, warning that offenders are deliberately targeting homes with valuable jewellery, particularly where security is weaker. In Bradford district, for example, officers recorded 58 burglaries involving stolen gold since mid-2024, highlighting what they described as a growing trend.
Authorities failed to act
Shivani, Abhinav and Darshana say their confidence in local authorities has been badly.
Shivani recalled that when Darshana’s home was first broken into, police initially described it as an isolated case. “They told us it was probably opportunistic rather than targeted,” she said. “We tried to reassure ourselves and move on without worrying too much.”
However, that sense of reassurance did not last. Soon afterwards, Shivani’s own home was burgled, with gold jewellery appearing to be the primary target. Around the same time, several other friends living in Hatch End reported similar break-ins and someone was “watching us, studying our routines and choosing the moment to strike when we are not home.” She said the experience has fundamentally changed how her family lives.
She added that residents, including Darshana and herself, have approached the council requesting better street lighting and additional CCTV coverage, particularly because their road is poorly lit. “Our street is quite dark, which makes it easier for criminals,” she said. “But we have not received any response. As renters, there is only so much we can do. We depend on landlords and the council to take action.”
Although police carried out forensic examinations and encouraged residents to report suspicious activity, Shivani said the response has often felt inadequate.
“All of this has left us feeling extremely unsafe,” Shivani said. “These crimes keep happening. If it’s not gold, then it’s cars or other valuables. As a community, we feel vulnerable and unsure where to turn.”
Abhinav echoed those concerns, saying while police response times immediately after incidents were generally prompt, follow-up efforts fell short of expectations. “That lack of follow-ups and any potential solution leaves us living with the constant fear that our home could be next.”
He said one officer told residents that theirs was the seventh burglary reported in a single week. “Hearing that was extremely alarming,” he said. “It makes you wonder why stronger preventive measures have not been put in place. Instead of reassurance, it makes you feel that if seven have already happened, more will follow.”
As a result, residents have begun relying largely on their own efforts for protection. “Many families are installing cameras and alarm systems,” Abhinav said. “We have repeatedly asked the maintenance agency to install CCTV in communal areas, but they have not cooperated. We’ve also sent joint emails to the council and other authorities.”
He added that being renters and expatriates has made it harder for many residents to push for structural improvements. “We are doing everything we can, but it still doesn’t feel enough to prevent future crimes.”
Darshana described making repeated attempts to seek help after her burglary, including writing multiple emails to the council and police. “I followed up several times,” she said. “I understood that responses might take time, but I expected at least an acknowledgement within a month or two. There was nothing.”
She said one of the biggest vulnerabilities, according the police, is a church located opposite their building, which has little lighting or surveillance. After being told the issue was outside police responsibility, Darshana contacted the council requesting lighting and cameras, but again received no reply.
Police also encouraged her to report suspicious activity, but when she did so, she found the response discouraging. “I was told officers could not be sent unless a crime had already happened,” she said.
On another incident, when she saw three hooded individuals near the church and called The police, “I asked who was responsible for ensuring safety there. No one seemed to have an answer.”
Eventually, Darshana was informed her case had been closed due to insufficient evidence. She later learned that even cases with CCTV footage had not progressed. “In one instance, the burglar’s face was clearly visible, but police said they lacked the resources to pursue it,” she said.
She said her confidence in reporting incidents has since been severely undermined. During one call, she said she was asked to go closer to suspicious individuals to identify their skin colour or nationality.
“I was inside my home. How could I do that safely?” she said. “They even asked if I could tell whether the individuals were using drugs. I don’t understand how I could possibly determine that from a distance.”
Eventually, she stopped reporting suspicious activity. “It felt pointless,” she said.
Council, police respond amid residents’ frustration
Asian Voice shared the broader concerns raised by residents with the Metropolitan Police and Harrow Council, although individual case details could not be disclosed.
While the Met police informed us that they would be able to respond more specifically only if particular incidents are recorded, Chief Inspector Marc Cash, who leads policing in Harrow, said, “We know how unsettling burglary can be for victims and we take all cases extremely seriously.
“We in the local policing team – along with colleagues from other departments – review every offence that is reported to us. Each is assessed for similarities in the way offenders gained entry, the time the offence took place and any other common factors that may suggest a linked series.
“Our focus also remains on preventing burglaries and supporting victims.”
He added that police are also focusing on prevention and reassurance through visible patrols in affected streets, plain-clothes operations in high-risk areas, intelligence-led enforcement, and community briefings where residents can meet officers and receive advice.
“This combined approach is designed to provide the best possible service to residents who have been affected or feel at risk,” he added.
He also added that police are examining whether burglaries targeting Indian and South Asian households form part of a wider pattern.
Harrow Council said it remains committed to community safety and works closely with police on crime prevention.
“While burglaries are dealt with by the police, we are taking proactive action to improve safety,” a spokesperson said, citing initiatives including targeted enforcement operations, street lighting upgrades and the expansion of CCTV coverage, with more than 300 permanent cameras now installed across the borough.
The council added that it will continue working with residents and partner agencies to address concerns and improve safety, without addressing the concerns put forward by the residents.
This is an ongoing investigation and will have further updates.
