Officers give out crime prevention advice as they continue to ramp up efforts to tackle family gold burglary in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is increasing patrols and providing crime prevention advice ahead of Chinese New Year celebrations to combat family gold burglaries, which often spike during cultural festivals. The burglaries, typically involving high-value, sentimental gold jewellery, are carried out by teams of two or three offenders who enter properties through open or forced windows. GMP urges residents to be discreet with jewellery, ensure proper home security, and report suspicious activity.
Extra police patrols will blanket Manchester city centre this weekend as thousands celebrate Chinese New Year, with officers warning families to guard against “targeted” burglaries seeking heirloom gold jewellery.
Detective Superintendent Alicia Smith, who heads Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Castle, said teams of two or three offenders are striking during religious and cultural festivals, weddings and special occasions when homes sit empty and high-purity gold gifts are worn in public. “We know this weekend will be a special time of the year for many, but we also know that criminals may use this as an opportunity to target homes to steal valuable items from families,” Smith said. “Burglary is a very intrusive crime and not only does the theft of gold jewellery affect people financially, but these items often hold a lot of sentimental value too, having been passed down through generations.”
Police urged revellers to be discreet when wearing jewellery outside, ensure doors and windows are locked before heading out, and remove garden objects that could be used to smash windows. Residents should photograph and register valuable pieces at www.immobilise.com, mark jewellery with traceable products, update insurance policies and tell neighbours when they will be away for the evening. Anyone spotting suspicious activity should contact police immediately.
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