A CRIME trend involving burglaries at the home addresses of Asian families in neighbouring forces is emerging, targeting ‘Asian gold’.

Thieves are looking for high purity and high value gold jewellery – often bought as wedding gifts in British Asian families and passed down through generations.

As a result, North Wales Police is advising the region's Asian community – in particularly in eastern areas - to take extra precautions to secure their valuables and protect their homes from being targeted.

It comes following a burglary reported in North Wales on September 29 where £2,000 worth of cash and Chinese gold was stolen from a Chinese family’s home, next to a busy retail park, during the daytime.

The incident near Caernarfon Road in Bangor happened sometime between 9.35am and 3pm on Wednesday.

Detective Sergeant Jenna Hughes said: “Our aim is not to scare, but to alert the Asian community to be vigilant of this emerging crime trend where high value gold jewellery is being targeted in neighbouring forces.

“Although we have not received many reports locally this year, usually, when we have seen these types of burglaries happen in nearby force areas in the past, areas of North Wales, usually in the east, have also been targeted.

“As the nights become darker during the autumn and winter months, we do also usually see an increase in these type of burglary offences.

“It’s important that people are aware of these offences and to take extra precaution to secure their valuables.”

As well as improving security with CCTV and burglar alarms, we would also advise keeping such high-value items in a safe deposit box or bank, taking a number of photos and itemising jewellery on home insurance policies.

Security lighting can be used to make offenders feel vulnerable and observed and locking all windows and doors before leaving the house is advised.

DS Hughes added: “Consider the location of any valuables within your home, particularly cash and jewellery and work with your neighbours to keep an eye on each other’s properties.

“A home that looks empty is far more likely to be targeted, so it’s worth making sure your home looks occupied.

“If you notice any suspicious activity surrounding your home or work address, I urge you to report it via 101, or via the live web chat immediately.”

Anyone with information following the burglary in Bangor is asked to contact police on 101 or via the live webchat, quoting reference 21000677511.