Gold thefts rise in West Midlands
Dec 10 2009 by Nick McCarthy, Birmingham Mail
GOLD thefts have soared in the West Midlands by more than 25 per cent.
The shock increase has been blamed on the rising price of the precious metal. Police are now warning jewellery wearers to not “flash their gold”.
Officers have seen a 25 per cent increase in the number of robberies and thefts compared to the same time last year.
Businesses in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter have also been hit by a series of robberies, with a rise in the number of delivery and security vehicles being targeted.
On a street level, thieves are targeting their victims in ambushes from behind to rip valuable chains from their neck.
The main hotspots are Handsworth, Ladywood and Sparkbrook, where officers have been called to help a high proportion of mainly Asian victims.
In many cases the jewellery also has strong sentimental value, and has been passed down through generations of the same family.
Police are now planning a number of high-profile initiatives to ensure they cut the gold thieves off at source.
High-visibility police patrols have been stepped up around the Jewellery Quarter where officers are liaising closely with shops expecting deliveries.
Other schemes are also being investigated by the Safer Birmingham Partnership to regulate the sale of gold to shops.
Sgt Andy Gregory, of West Midlands Police’s Crime Reduction Team, said: “The rising value of gold has made it an extremely viable commodity.
“Because it is worn with pride by many people in our communities and because we have a thriving jewellery retail area, we have seen a rise in the number of incidents. A lot of the advice we are giving out to people and businesses is common sense and involves not flaunting necklaces and bangles.”
Police have investigated a spate of burglaries in the Sutton Coldfield area. In one incident around £40,000 of Asian jewellery was stolen, and police are advising householders to be particularly vigilant and to review their home security.
Sgt Gregory said: “Simple measures can defeat most burglars and opportunist robbers, but the most effective one is to make sure the gold or jewellery is not visible or easily accessible.”
Between January and September last year, officers across the West Midlands investigated 201 offences.
That figure has risen to 247 so far this year.
