Indian Origin Families in UK Told to Protect Their Gold Ahead of Navratri, Diwali

The British Metropolitan Police department has asked Indian and Asian origin people to be careful with their jewelry during Navratri and upcoming Diwali festival.

They released a video in which an elderly Asian couple, who were targeted in their home by burglars, talk about their terrifying experience. In the video, the police urge people to provide any information they have regarding the burglary..

An elderly Asian couple who were targeted by burglars for their family gold reveal their terrifying experience to help warn Londoners to protect their jewellery, especially during the festivities of #Navratri and #Diwali. pic.twitter.com/hHYJNGMpZe

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) October 11, 2018

The Indian origin couple lives in south-east London and was a target of burglary this February, PTI reports. The couple in their late 70s and early 80s, who did not wish to be identified, were targeted by a gang who took belongings of around £1260, the police report states.

According to the report, at around 8.30 pm on Feb.24, the couple were both watching television in Hampton Hill, Middlesex, when they heard some noises coming from the hallway. The 77-year-old woman went to investigate and found four male suspects in the hallway. One of the suspects pushed her back into the lounge and made her sit down. One male threatened her with a chisel by holding it against her neck and demanded to be taken to the place where they keep their ‘Asian gold,’ whilst the others took the 82-year-old man upstairs where they searched the house for jewelry.

Before leaving the property, the four masked men, all in dark clothes, stole jewelry including wedding rings, necklaces, bracelets, and bank cards. The horrified elderly woman told in the video, “These men came in through our open kitchen window and threatened my husband and I. They turned our house upside down and stole our jewelry, including my much-loved wedding ring. I would urge everyone to store their jewelry away from their home and properly secure their doors and windows.”

According to police report, 1,891 burglaries involving Asian victims have taken place in the year in which 6,369 jewelry items, valued at nearly £9 million were stolen.

The report says several have happened for Gold which is more readily available Asian, Jewish and Maltese houses across the capital.

Detective Constable Lisa Keeley said, “Gold will continue to be highly desired by criminals due to the speed and anonymity with which it can be exchanged for large sums of cash. These pieces of gold and jewelry are not just valuable possessions, they are also of great sentimental value, and if stolen, would have a huge impact on owners.”
Detective Keeley has assured Londoners by saying, “Our proactive measures to tackle these crimes has seen reductions in offences, however there is more to be done. As part of this work, we urge Londoners to take action to safeguard their gold and jewelry by following our simple crime prevention advice.”