Thames Valley Police has received reports of burglaries where houses have been targeted for high-value gold jewellery. Often, the gold is melted for cash or sold on.
Avoid giving burglars this opportunity by following some simple crime prevention tips:-
• Please don’t keep your high value jewellery at home – use a bank safety deposit box
• If you have to keep your jewellery at home, then please invest in a home safe suitable for protecting your jewellery, your insurance company will provide advice as to which type and grade of safe best suits your needs
• Keep an inventory of your jewellery. This can be done in a paper version or online with companies such as Immobilise. For more information go to www.immobilise.com include identifying marks, value, and purchase date
• Photograph your jewellery. Place your jewellery against a plain background with a ruler next to it to give an idea of size
• Check your home insurance to ensure that it covers keeping high-value jewellery at home
• Make sure your home is kept secure at all times – windows/ door locks, timers that switch lights on when going out Set your house alarm if you have one
• As with other valuables, do not leave jewellery on display
• Use forensic marking to identify your jewellery. Information on forensic marking can be found on www.securedbydesign.com
For more information about what officers are doing to prevent crime in your area, or to speak to your Neighbourhood Policing Team for more information, please call 101. You can also follow them on:
www.twitter.com/TVPSouthandvale
www.facebook.com/TVPSouthandVale
