Greater Manchester Police have warned of a surge in burglaries targeting prized family gold, especially during Ramadan, when Muslim householders are more vulnerable while visiting relatives or attending prayers.

The force confirmed that the recent incidents were typically executed by groups of two or three. They gained entry through open windows or by smashing them with bricks. These teams often come from outside Greater Manchester and target areas like Oldham, Rochdale, and Tameside. 

Households often endure staggering losses, with some experiencing up to £40,000 in damages. In total, they have made about £1.1 million since August. However, beyond the financial impact, victims grapple with the emotional toll of knowing intruders have invaded their homes, taking items of immense sentimental value that may never be recovered.

A Rochdale resident who wishes to remain anonymous had his house robbed while on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Disturbing footage captured masked individuals ransacking his home, evidently searching for something specific. After he landed at Manchester Airport with his family and returned to their home, they found a neighbour had already alerted the police.

“The impact on my family has been immense, my place of safety no longer felt safe,” the victim told the police. “We believe they were looking for gold, they were looking through pillowcases and emptied our cupboards and drawers.”

The victim also described how the thieves meticulously searched small hiding spots for valuable items such as money, jewellery, and gold, even removing sofa cushions to check for any coins that might have slipped between the cracks.

He expressed concern that Muslims were increasingly being singled out as “targets” during Ramadan, which began on March 11 this year. He noted a widespread discussion within the community about thieves breaking into homes in search of gold.

“Muslim people go to pray at mosques five times a day (during Ramadan) and that just leaves the home more vulnerable,” he said.

Heightened patrols, security measures

The force said patrols have been increased, and “targeted patrols” will be conducted to deter crime throughout the month. In addition, a burglary unit has been established in Rochdale to address gold thefts, with outreach efforts made to Muslim communities to raise awareness about the issue.

Police Constable Mohammed Latif uses Urdu to spread his message in the more inaccessible segments of the Asian community, where English is not the primary language spoken.

According to Latif, the burglars typically arrive in a stolen car or cars equipped with false plates to conduct reconnaissance. They can enter a house and exit in mere seconds, sometimes taking as little as 90 seconds. While their primary target is gold, they also search for car keys if there’s “a nice car” on the driveway.

This is why he recommends that homeowners always ensure doors and windows are locked, keep lights on, and store any gold in a safe place. Simply hiding jewellery is not enough, as determined burglars will thoroughly search for the valuable items.

Ideally, homeowners should keep gold and jewellery away from their homes and secure them in a safe deposit box. However, homeowners who prefer to keep it at home should consider investing in a high-quality safe that complies with insurance rating standards. Then, the safe should be anchored to something immovable and equipped with an alarm system.

Homeowners also have the option of hiring the help of security firms like Marengo to bolster their home security. These firms offer a range of tailored services, from installing sophisticated alarm systems and CCTV cameras to providing round-the-clock monitoring. By enlisting the expertise of security professionals, homeowners can gain peace of mind when leaving their homes for prayer.