There has recently been a significant rise in burglaries across the UK. Indian homes are a specific target for thieves because families are known to store expensive gold and other items of jewellery. As a result, many Indian families are investing in security systems. To increase awareness for 'satsangis' (devotees), the Swaminarayan temple, Neasden had organised for a short presentation in London on Saturday 17 February where Detective Inspector Kamal Patel, Met Police Lead for Community Engagement Family Gold provided useful information on the current state of gold burglaries and how the community can work together to prevent this crime from happening.
There also was and going to be a stand in the London Mandir Foyer on burglary awareness on Saturday 17 February and Saturday 24 February 2018. Approximately 30% of all burglaries involve an Asian victims and over 50% of all burglaries involve jewellery. In the last year over £50 million worth of gold has been stolen within London. Asian gold is a prime target for those who target gold as it is 22 carat which is 91.6% pure gold. Pure gold (24 carat) tends not to be used for jewellery as it is too soft. Targeting and stealing 22 carat gold offers the best profit margins
Organised Criminal Networks are operating in London and target Asian families by watching the address and knowing Asian family live at the address due to religious markings outside Over the last 6 months officers from the Metropolitan Police Services have attended 8 major events across London and through community engagement they have raised awareness of family gold burglaries to over 180,000 people.
To combat such crimes, a Family Gold Network- a group of volunteers who help to fight Asian families being targeted for their ceremonial gold jewellery's being formed. This is a community led initiative where volunteers provide a link between police and London's diverse communities, to make families aware of the support available for improving their personal safety and protecting their homes and jewellery.
Two people from each of London's 32 boroughs are being sought as well as staff within the MPS - with anyone welcome to come forward, regardless of their race, sex or religious beliefs. Volunteers who form the Family Gold Network, will have regular meetings at various venues across London
Below are the guidelines that can help deter burglars, prevent loss and most importantly keep yourselves safe.
When attending festivals or events at an external venue:
* Always travel to and from your festival or event in a group. Avoid travelling alone, especially in the dark.
* Keep any jewellery or valuables covered until you are inside the venue.
2.Burglary Advice
* Install a visible intruder alarm system with an active bell box at the front and the rear of your property (a bell box is a device which, when activated, emits a chime, bell or buzzer sound, and displays the logo of the alarm/security company).
* Restrict access to the side and rear of the property (via lockable gates). For flats/apartments, ensure that the communal door is secured.
* Install security lights to the front, side and rear of the property to increase visibility – they act as an active deterrent.
* Double lock all door locks that are operated by lifting the handle; remember to remove the key after locking (Lift-Lock-Remove).
* An internal letterbox shield will prevent keys being taken from your home through the letterbox. Close and lock all of your doors and windows.
* Protect your valuables by property marking/photographing and recording serial numbers. This increases the chances of recovery and bringing the offender(s) to justice.
* Use automatic timer-switches to switch on lights after dark so that your home appears to be occupied. This is particularly important during the shorter days in winter.
* Keep the TV or radio switched on when you are out of the house.
* Secure communal doors and other multi-occupancy buildings to prevent people following you inside. Make sure you are aware of who you are letting into the building.
* Install a safe securely and of a sufficient size for safekeeping documents and valuables.
* Do not keep jewellery in the house. If possible, store valuables in a bank or a safe deposit centre such as Bank House.
3. Distraction Burglary
This is when someone gains access to a property under false pretences, with the intention of committing theft. You can avoid this situations by following the guidelines below:
* Do not allow unexpected callers inside your home unless they have a prior appointment.
* Think before you open the door. Use your door chain and spy hole, or look out of the window to see if you recognise the person at the door.
* Always ask for, and check ID before allowing somebody into your home. Verify the ID by calling their organisation. You can obtain the number independently (i.e. from the phone book or searching from the internet). Do not use the number from their ID. A genuine caller will be happy to wait outside until you have verified their ID from their organisation or until you call a family member/neighbour to help.
* If in any doubt, do not let them in. Ask the caller to return later and arrange for a friend, relative or neighbour to be present upon their return, or ask the caller to contact this person to make arrangements on your behalf.
* Beware of callers who attempt to distract you by claiming that they have seen something untoward in your rear garden or somewhere within the vicinity of your property which may encourage you to leave your house or the room that you are in. They may have an accomplice awaiting this distraction.
* Utility providers now offer a password identification system. Any caller from one of these organisations should be able to provide a pre-arranged password as additional proof of their identity.
* If you feel threatened or in danger by the presence of a caller, ring the police on 999.
4. Storage & Prevention
*Try not to keep gold at home if at all possible. Be aware that thieves will always search the bedroom, behind bath panels, loft, floor boards etc. to find it.
*You can use a registered pawnbroker that offer this service if you don’t have access to a safety deposit box.
*Use Met trace or traceable liquid like SmartWater. They can contact their local ward officer.
*Photograph the jewellery with your phone on a white or plain surface so we can appeal if it is stolen.
* Take simple precautions like locking doors, have security lights, remove anything from the front of the house that may indicate that you are an Asian family.
*Consider CCTV if you can.
* Speak to neighbours and watch out for anyone in the area that doesn’t feel right. Thieves will often visit the area before committing the offence.
* If you are a victim, try and remember the facial features and anything relevant like car registrations.
* If you do touch the suspects skin or they touch you, don’t wash or wipe it away as we have the opportunity to swab it for DNA.
* Report it to police immediately.
If you are interested in volunteering for the Family Gold Network and becoming the co-ordinator please contact, Kamal Patel, [email protected].
