Local Burglary/Gold theft Update

Local Burglary/Gold theft Update

Here’s an update on burglary locally.

Asian gold thefts on the rise
The rise in price of gold means that gold jewellery is a serious target for thieves. Stolen gold items are often melted down or sold on quickly. Remember thefts can occur at any time, even if you are at home.

Residents are reminded to be vigilant and aware of any visible cultural or religious signs that are displayed outside a property, particularly if you are from the south Asian community. This could potentially give an indication to thieves for a target and make some properties vulnerable. Please be aware of what you display and don’t be a victim of gold and burglary theft.

Theft prevention advice for high value gold:

To reduce the chances of your high value gold jewellery being targeted, police recommend items should be stored in a safety deposit box at your bank or in a safe at home. If it’s at home, the safe should be screwed to either a wall or floor.

Other tips include taking photos of high value gold jewellery and keeping a written description of each item or marking property with a UV pen or forensic fluid. SmartWater, for example, can make items less attractive to thieves.

People should lock doors and windows securely when inside the house and check this always when leaving the house.
If you do make changes, use an approved locksmith registered with the Master Locksmiths Association.

Security companies should also be accredited using approved and tested security products that have been awarded the Police Preferred Specification status. This could be for measures such as a camera doorbell, intruder detector alarms and CCTV.

Always set your CCTV to record and install security lights.

Across London, we’re now arresting more than 1,000 extra criminals every month and seeing local crimes like burglary, robbery and theft start to fall, with ‘neighbourhood crime’ down 14%.

While we will continue to pursue burglars in the area, there are steps you can do to help keep your property safe. Please go to our website to find the latest advice and guidance on keeping yourself safe and protecting your home.

You can report an incident of burglary by using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk , speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.

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