Harrow Police plea to women - cover your chains

Detective Superintendent Neil Wilson warned of a spate of robberies. Detective Superintendent Neil Wilson warned of a spate of robberies.

Detectives are pleading with Asian women to cover gold chains and necklaces after a spate of robberies across the borough.

Harrow’s deputy borough commander, Detective Superintendent Neil Wilson, said that more than 20 incidents where chains had been snatched from the neck of women had been reported in the last three months.

Yesterday at around 3.30pm, two men targeted a 40-year-old woman in Turner Road and grabbed her necklace, before driving away in a silver Vauxhall hatchback.

The suspects are described as an Asian man and a black man, both in their 20s.

D Supt Wilson said people with jewellery should take photos of it and keep it covered so thieves could not see it.

He added: “We have seen an increase in chain snatches in recent weeks.  There have been 23 reported to us in the past 3 months. 

“Typically Asian women who wear chains are being targeted by street robbers.”

Comments(5)

Methodman says...
1:14pm Fri 21 Sep 12

I feel uncomfortable with Police advice which suggests potential victims of crime need to alter their lifestyle choice in order to make them less attractive to muggers.
This sort of advice implies the victim is somehow responsible for the crime that befalls them.
I recall similair advice being given by Police telling Women to dress conservatively to reduce the risk of rape.
Citizens should have the freedom to wear whatever they like free from fear of crime,it is up to the Police to arrest criminals.

SeaBee says...
5:03pm Sat 22 Sep 12

The police are far too busy bleating to The Sun when they are 'insulted' to solve crimes. Far better to offer advice to cover-up, in the knowledge that there is not a snowflake in hell's chance that they will catch the miscreants.

Quinsfan89 says...
8:50am Sun 23 Sep 12

Methodman,

In an ideal society yes you are right. However with all the sorts of people out there, willing to do what whatever to gain from crime a sense of common sense needs to be applied. The police are not all seeing and cannot predict a crime and solve it. People need to take some responsibility for themselves, not just blame someone else when it goes wrong.

jackdaw says...
11:46am Sun 23 Sep 12

It is not only the loss of the jewellery but the attack on the person to seize the item that is upsetting. There is the emotional and maybe even physical trauma if a lot of force is used.

surfnutt says...
8:41am Mon 24 Sep 12

The advice issued by the police is common sense if you go out displaying your wealth to all and sundry you may be the subject of unwanted attention, if i stood wearing a suit made of £50 notes i doubt i would be wearing it for long. Its quite simple.

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