RESIDENTS, politicians and police marched through Wealdstone this morning as part of a Hindu festival.

The nine days of Navratri began today with a procession from the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre, in Palmerston Road, down to High Street and through residential roads to Byron Hall.

Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, said: “Coming to Navratri is like coming home really. I've been involved in Navratri for about 25 years over in Brent but many of the same people participate in Harrow.

“It's a great festival for everyone – a festival of colour and lights and dancing and music.”

Councillor Phillip O'Dell, responsible for environment and community safety, said the dancing was his favourite aspect of the festival as the procession snaked its way through his Wealdstone ward.

He said: “It's good, I think it brings the whole community together so that we are one community celebrating the whole diversity of Harrow.”

Police used the opening ceremony to warn the Hindu community not to put their valuables on show when travelling between events due to the spike in burglaries and jewellery snatches expected during the festival.

Chief Superintendent Dal Babu, borough commander for Harrow, said he felt people at the event had taken notice of the police warnings and kept their valuables covered up.

He said: “I'm very pleased, if you look around people are wearing jewellery but they are being very discreet about it and it's covered up.”