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Navratri is a time of celebration, family gatherings and cultural traditions. We want everyone to enjoy the festivities and wear and use their jewellery with confidence. Unfortunately, previous years have seen an increase in burglaries where offenders have specifically targeted homes in the belief that gold jewellery may be stored there. The responsibility for these crimes lies entirely with offenders. The following advice is intended to help reduce opportunities for criminals and keep you and your property safe. Simple steps to help protect your home and valuables Continue to enjoy and wear your jewellery as you normally would during celebrations and family events.When jewellery is not being worn, consider storing it in a secure, purpose-built safe that is securely fixed to the building.Avoid leaving jewellery in predictable locations such as bedside drawers, wardrobes or jewellery boxes that can be quickly found by burglars.Consider using a safety deposit box or secure storage facility for items that are rarely worn or have particularly high financial or sentimental value.Take photographs of valuable jewellery and keep a record of distinguishing features, receipts or valuations. This can assist with identification and recovery if items are stolen.Ensure doors and windows are locked whenever you leave your home, even for a short period.Consider using timed lighting when you are out at religious events.Use exterior lighting, alarms, CCTV or video doorbells where possible to deter offenders and provide evidence if a crime occurs.Ask a trusted neighbour, friend or relative to keep an eye on your property if you are attending events away from home for extended periods.Be mindful about sharing travel plans, extended absences or photographs that show valuable items on public social media accounts.Consider marking or registering valuable property using recognised property-marking or asset-registration schemes.If you notice suspicious behaviour around homes, such as individuals looking into windows, taking photographs of properties, or making repeated visits without good reason, report it to the police.Join local neighbourhood watch or community messaging groups to stay informed about crime prevention advice and suspicious activity in your area. A message to our community We recognise that jewellery, including gold, often has significant cultural, religious and family importance. Residents should feel able to celebrate Navratri and observe traditions without feeling restricted. These suggestions are simply practical measures to help make homes less attractive to criminals and support the safety of our communities during the festive period. In an emergency, always call 999. If you have information about suspicious activity, report it to the police on 101 or through the appropriate online reporting channels. | 
