Good evening residents,

We are seeing an increase in burglaries that specifically target family gold.

Family gold is usually high purity, high-value gold jewellery – often bought as wedding gifts in Asian communities and passed down through generations, holding significant sentimental value.

We would also advise anyone with expensive jewellery in their homes to ensure it is safely locked away, out of sight. Simply hiding the jewellery is sadly not enough. A determined burglar will search high and low for items of high value. Ideally, you should remove jewellery from your home and secure it in a safe deposit box.

However, if you would prefer to keep it at home, consider purchasing a good quality safe which compiles with insurance rating standards. It should be anchored to something immovable and fitted with a Limpit alarm.

If you’re heading out in the evening, remember to ensure doors and windows locked, and remove any objects from outside your property that could potentially be used to break windows to gain entry. Tell your neighbours when you are out for the evening.

Protect your jewellery:

• Burglaries often happened around religious or cultural festivals, weddings and special occasions so be extra careful around these times.

• Be discreet when wearing jewellery in public to avoid attracting unwanted attention. • Keep special occasion jewellery and other valuables in a safe deposit box. If you elect to keep it at home invest in a good quality safe that complies with insurance rating standards. Don’t leave it on display. 

• Make sure your insurance is up to date and keep a written record of all your Jewellery. Take photographs for insurance and recovery purposes.

 • Ensure your jewellery is property marked with an appropriate product for use on jewellery. Any jewellery with a unique serial number can be registered for free at www.immobilise.com

Many of the measures that help prevent the theft of family gold are also useful in preventing general burglaries. In addition to the specific advice around jewellery you should also consider the following...

Keep doors and windows locked even when you are in. Ensure keys out of reach of doors, windows and cat-flaps. 

• Use a timer switch on lights to make you home look occupied. When on holiday ask a trusted neighbour to remove post and open/close curtains. 

• Join your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme - If there isn’t one, would you consider starting one? 

• If you have a burglar alarm make sure you use it, even if you’re only going out for a short time.

 • Don’t advertise that you are attending functions or going on holiday and be particularly careful about the information you share on Social Media sites. 

• Be aware that thieves sometimes ring the doorbell. Don’t be tricked into letting offenders into your home and refuse access to anyone who hasn’t made a prior appointment. Report any suspicious callers to the Police.

 • Tidy Up - Items left lying around the garden make a burglar’s life easier. Make sure ladders are secured and there are no bricks lying around. 

If you have any information on who is committing crime in your area then please call the Police on 101. Alternatively you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You will not have to give your name.