Leicesters Golden Mile shops link up in bid to stop thefts

Posted Monday, January 25, 2010

Article by Cairan Fagan, Leicester Mercury 21/01/10

Jewellery shops in an area which has been targeted by armed robbers are to be linked to each other and police by radio.
Retailers in Leicester's Golden Mile are also being urged to be on the look-out for suspicious characters, amid concern the high price of gold is attracting criminals.
At least three shops have been targeted in the past six months.
The Home Office, Safer Leicester Partnership and the city's chamber of trade have secured funding for the scheme.
Eighteen Belgrave jewelers have signed up to take part. The radio sets are on order and will arrive shortly.
Citywatch, which already has more than 200 members, said the sets would enable shop owners to report suspicious characters to police and other businesses immediately.
Membership of the group costs about £550 a year.
As well as the radio link, members also receive pictures of known criminals, including prolific shoplifters.
Graham Collins, intelligence officer at Citywatch, said: "People who commit robberies don't appear out of the blue.
"They tend to hang around, keeping a shop under surveillance. The shopkeepers can raise the alarm if they see anyone behaving suspiciously and, hopefully, that will help them stay one step ahead."
Mahul Visram, director of Ram Jewellers, in Belgrave Road, said his business had signed up for the radio scheme.
Mr Visram said after the latest attack, two weeks ago: "Jewelers are big targets at the moment because the price of gold is high.
"You can never be too careful because the people who carry out robberies such as this are professionals."
Councillor Mohammed Dawood, city council cabinet spokesman for community safety, welcomed the move.
He said: "It's important we do everything we can to protect these businesses and their customers."
Last week, police arrested and charged a 21-year-old Birmingham man with robbery at a jewellery shop in Belgrave Road.

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