Some of the jewellery stolen from market traders in recent months.
Safergems, a crime prevention group for the jewellery trade, has sounded the alert after a rise in incidents, with more than 20 recorded across the country recently.
In a recent alert sent to traders it warned that “Safergems and the police nationally have noted a rise in crimes of high value thefts… targeting traders across the UK” and noted an increase in “distraction thefts, snatches, theft from motor vehicles, robberies and sophisticated tracking devices placed on vehicles”.
The warning added: “Most crimes appear to be highly co-ordinated, organised, wellpractised and some have involved up to seven suspects.”
Safergems was set up by The National Association of Jewellers and insurance firm TH March, in conjunction with BSIA (British Security Industry Association), and works with police forces across the UK and internationally. It sends alerts and advice to members.
In one of its latest alerts, advice includes:
• Dashcams are recommended
• Work in pairs to reduce the threat of distraction techniques
• Install a cage or safe in your vehicle, use a hire car to attend events; be extra vigilant, even days and weeks before and after attending a trade event;
• Do not advertise your movements on social media
• Review the security of your stock
• Let somebody else know of your location, destination, and time of arrival
• Keep your mobile charged
• Be mindful of who may be following you and check surroundings before leaving your vehicle
Support group
ATG published advice from a fellow dealer in edition No 2628 (Letters page) and in February a Facebook group was launched to support antiques dealers at risk of being the victim of crime (ATG No 2631).
Last week ATG (No 2638) also reported the violent attack on Ian Towning’s Chelsea antiques centre Bourbon Hanby Antiques Arcade.
