Dont keep high value jewellery at home warn Police

Police are reminding residents across North Wales and Cheshire not to keep high value gold and silver jewellery at home.

In recent years thieves across Britain have targeted homes, including properties in North Wales and Cheshire where they believe residents possess large quantities of valuable jewellery, including gold and silver necklaces, bangles, rings and earrings.

In some cases thieves have posed as tradesman or scrap metal merchants and have knocked on doors to see if anyone is at home.  They then return later in the day, usually when the homes are empty, break in and steal valuable jewellery.

Detectives are actively targeting those responsible and enquiries are ongoing.  Meanwhile North Wales Police and Cheshire Police are urging all residents to be aware of the tactics used by criminals and to take steps to keep their valuables as safe as possible.

DCI Alun Oldfield of North Wales Police said; “Officers have been giving advice to residents on how to best protect their property.

“We believe the thieves responsible are organised and are possibly travelling into the area from further afield to target residents.  It is important that police, our partners and residents work together to make life as difficult as possible for the criminals.”

There are a number of simple steps you can take to help protect your valuable jewellery:

• Ensure that your jewellery is insured.
• Keep good records of all the jewellery that you own – make a list and include photographs.  If it is stolen this will make it much easier to identify as belonging to you, should it be recovered.
• Make sure all windows and doors and kept locked – especially when you are out.
• Ensure your home looks ‘lived in’ – even if you are out.  Consider using timer switches for lights to give the impression that someone is at home.
• Try not to advertise when you will not be at home and always use lights on timers to give the impression you are home at night, even if you are not.
• Keep jewellery in a safe and secure place when it is not being worn – thieves have been known to look everywhere in the hone for valuable items.
• Consider installing a safe if your jewellery is particularly valuable – ensure it is securely fitted to a permanent structure such as a solid wall or floor.
• Other security measures such as a home security alarm or security marking system can deter thieves from targeting a property.
• Be wary when answering the door to unexpected or uninvited visitors and always ask to see identification.  If you are unsure of the validity of the caller then contact the organisation they are claiming to be from.  Genuine callers will not mind you doing this.

To ensure your safe is the best possible standard, visit
www.securedbydesign.com a Home Office approved website which list approved security products and which have been awarded the ‘Police Preferred Specification’ status or www.soldsecure.com which lists products approved by the Master Locksmiths Association.