By John Baron
Police have issued security advice following a spate of Asian gold thefts in Armley and surrounding areas.
Residents attending last night’s Armley Forum public meeting were told there had been ‘two or three’ recent incidents involving the theft of high-value Asian gold, which is usually characterised by its high purity and intricate designs.
Sgt Sam Naylor, of West Yorkshire Police, urged people with high-value items to ensure their doors and windows were locked, and to install security cameras and a safe.
“Jewellery can also be marked with smart water, a forensic spray which can’t be washed off and we can identify the jewellery if it is found later,” he added.
Sgt Naylor said he would be speaking at local mosques and community groups to raise awareness over the theft of Asian gold.
He also said an operation with West Yorkshire Trading Standards had seen £33,000 of illicit tobacco seized from four rogue businesses. Police have applied to the courts for a closure order on two of the businesses for a set period of time.
Residents attending the meeting in Armley Community Hub raised concerns over statistics which showed Armley and New Wortley having the second highest amount of crime in the city, behind Leeds city centre.
Several residents called for more resources and police officers in the area. One said: “The only league I want to be top of is if it involves Leeds Rhinos or Leeds United.”
Police and forum chair Cllr Andy Parnham (Lab, Armley) were asked to lobby for more police resource in the area.
Residents heard that crime figures for the last six weeks in Armley were down on the previous six weeks and there were no upward trends that were ‘alarming’ police.
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