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Police are to step up patrols in Leicester’s Golden Mile and help its crime-hit jewellery shops improve their security.
 
Officers and senior council officials visited Belgrave after two businesses were hit one by a robbery gang and another by burglars within a few days of each other earlier this month. The current high market price of gold is thought to be fuelling attacks on jewellers across the UK.
 
Jewellery shop bosses told the Leicester Mercury last week that they were ‘living in fear’. As a result of the visit, some shops are to be offered SmartWater spray devices which can be activated in emergencies to spray intruders with a fine mist of SmartWater.

The near-invisible chemical liquid, which glows under ultraviolet light, helps identify stolen goods and can link offenders to specific crimes. Businesses will also hold regular meetings with their local beat officers.
 
Chief Superintendent Rob Nixon, head of police in the city, visited the victims of two recent attacks, Alankar and Bipin jewellers, both in Belgrave Road.He was joined by city council leader Veejay Patel, chairman of the Belgrave Business Association Dharmesh Lakhani and Inspector Steve Riley.
 
Supt Nixon said: "I wanted to meet the owners of the businesses affected to reassure them that police in the city are taking these incidents very seriously."

Councillor Patel said: ‘Leicester is very proud of the Golden Mile and we are committed to supporting local businesses to make them, their customers and residents feel safe.’

Dharmesh Lakhani, chairman of Belgrave Business Association and owner of Bobby’s restaurant in Belgrave Road, said businesses were happy with police progress on the two cases.