The UK is reopening and we’re gladly entering the festive season. While this year will finally reunite families and friends and we’ll be able to celebrate together, it is imperative to acknowledge that crime rates and safety issues are a burning topic in the country. This implies that venturing out of home with jewels, safeguarding families, businesses that sell precious items is going to be a mammoth task. It is common knowledge that there are thefts, burglaries and knife crimes in and around locations where the BAME community resides, especially during the festive season when families are vulnerable. Asian Voice tried to get a sense of what can be done in order to have a safe celebration.
Commenting on how the police force aims to protect the community this festive season, in a statement to the newsweekly, the MetPolice said, “Violent crime, robbery and anti-social behaviour can tend to increase at this time of year as the nights draw in earlier; footfall in open spaces increase, and seasonal festivities get underway. We want Londoners to enjoy themselves during this period and feel safe while doing so.
“We have strong plans in place - officers are preventing and suppressing violence in all its forms, using a range of tactics from prevention to enforcement. This includes targeting the most dangerous offenders; conducting high visibility patrols in violence hotspots and transport hubs; as well working with young people to deter them from becoming involved in criminality.
“Alongside the activity, officers are carrying out day in and day out, a number of pan-London operations are currently underway and planned for the coming months. Autumn Nights and Winter Nights focus on tackling seasonal violence and associated criminality, while Operation Sceptre will see a national intensification of anti-knife crime activity.
“Our number one priority is to keep all Londoners safe and we will not stop using every tactic available to us to serve and protect our communities.”
Yogesh Patel of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple told Asian Voice, “We will not be open for Dusshera or Navratri celebrations but will be for 4 days over Diwali. As it is the festive season we will be announcing to all our devotees who do come to the mandir for darshan
and celebrations to be extra careful especially when wearing precious or expensive jewellery. As per our guidelines announced regularly whenever we have major festivals, all members who are coming to attend should aim to come as a family or ensure they are in small groups so that they are not walking or travelling alone. We also encourage all those attending to spread the message to stay safe, remain in groups. We also encourage devotees to ensure that their homes stay safe whenever not occupied.”
The Metropolitan Police have advised the following specific points for your own safety and to protect your valuables and property:
§ As far as possible, avoid keeping gold or valuables at home. Be aware that thieves will always search the bedroom, behind bath panels, loft, floorboards, etc. to see what they can find. Asian families continue to leave gold at home, usually in the bedroom. This is the first place that a burglar will go.
§ If possible, store gold and valuables in a bank or a safe deposit centre.
§ Use MetTrace or traceable liquids to mark your valuables. You can contact the local ward officer who will provide assistance on how to obtain a MetTrace kit. You can contact your local ward officer by visiting www.met.police.uk
§ Photograph your jewellery on a white or plain surface so that the police can issue an appeal if it is stolen. Ensure that you are not in the photograph.
§ Take simple precautions like locking doors, installing security lights, removing anything from the front of the house that may indicate that the household belongs to an Asian family, etc.
§ Consider installing an alarm or CCTV on your property. It is not expensive and will deter a burglar from trying to enter your property.
§ Ensure that you turn on the alarm, even if you leave your house for a short period of time. The police recommend buying an alarm that makes a sound when activated.
§ Speak to neighbours and watch out for anyone in the area who is acting suspiciously. Thieves will often visit the area before committing an offence.
§ If you are a victim of a burglary, try to remember the facial features of the thieves and anything else that is relevant such as car registration, etc.
§ If you have physical contact with thieves, do not wash the area where you had contact. The police can take a swab sample for DNA analysis, which can help to identify the thieves.
§ Thieves often target victims who they can see are wearing gold or valuables, so try to cover up any valuables you may be wearing.
§ If you are the unfortunate victim of any such crime or witness such a crime, report it to the police immediately by calling 999.
