Police launch new initiative to keep gold thieves at bay

Officers will be handing out leaflets to jewellers and gold merchants across Lisburn as part of their ‘Going for Gold’ initiative asking that they distribute these to customers purchasing gold or other valuable jewellery items.

Householders are asked to take simple, practical steps to reduce the chance of their jewellery being stolen after a number of recent burglaries.

Lisburn Area Commander Chief Inspector Darrin Jones said: “Gold and other jewellery items are an attractive prospect for the unscrupulous burglar or robber as they can be easily transported from the scene of a crime and sold on quickly.

“This combined with the current high price of gold means that many thieves are targeting homes and businesses with the intent of helping themselves to whatever gold and other jewellery they can find.

“Having your jewellery stolen can represent much more than a financial loss. Many pieces have emotional attachments or sentimental values for their owners and these can never be replaced. Criminals do not care about the feelings or what a piece of jewellery means to an individual, all they care about is what they can get for it.

“Much of the ‘Going for Gold’ advice is simple and common sense but by adopting these crime prevention techniques into your everyday security regime you are significantly lessening the possibility that you’ll be targeted and helping protect your most cherished jewellery and the memories they represent.”

Chairperson of Lisburn DPP Cllr Margaret Tolerton added: “We are encouraging householders to place their precious pieces of jewellery in a safe place in their home. It is also important that jewellers and gold merchants take due care when converting cash for gold that the gold is coming from the rightful owner.”

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