Four people have been arrested after thieves targeted jewellery from Asian homes.

Operation Resemble has been set up by Greater Manchester Police to target those suspected of being involved in a string of violent burglaries in the north Manchester area and Salford areas.

The break-ins have been committed at the homes of predominately Asian families with the specific intent of stealing gold jewellery.

During a number of these burglaries the families themselves have been subjected to threats and violence, with innocent homeowners not only deprived of their jewellery but also attacked with weapons.

During one such incident, which happened at about midnight on 15 July 2014, an Asian family were targeted in their own home on Alderglen Road in Cheetham Hill and a man attacked with a knife before the masked gang of thieves stole jewellery.

Over the past two days, police have executed more than a dozen warrants across Salford and north Manchester following an ongoing investigation to identify those suspected of being involved in the violent theft of Asian jewellery.

Jewellery suspected of being stolen from the Cheetham Hill burglary on 15 July 2014 has also been recovered.

As a result, four people have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery between 16 April 2014 and 5 June 2014 and remain in police custody for questioning.

Those arrested, all men, are aged 20, two aged 17 and one aged 16-years-old.

Earlier this month, police arrested four people on suspicion of robbery after a Jewish family were targeted in similar circumstances. They remain on police bail.

Detective Chief Inspector Clare Devlin said: "Today's action demonstrates our ongoing commitment to dismantling criminal gangs involved in the violent theft of Asian jewellery.

"We know these criminals are causing a great deal of anxiety and apprehension among Asian families living in our communities. As recently as two nights ago we had an innocent family terrorised in their own home and attacked with a knife which is an appalling act of criminality.

"I want these raids - which will not be the last - to send a strong message to anyone who is living in fear that they too will be targeted.

"We have set up a dedicated operation to combat these criminal gangs and we will use every weapon in our arsenal to ensure these people go to jail and any stolen property returned to their rightful owners.

"We will simply not allow innocent members of our community to be threatened in the sanctity of their own home and have their family jewellery stolen. So if you are involved in this type of criminal act, you can expect a call from GMP soon.

"Clearly Asian jewellery can be very lucrative when sold on the black market so there are a number of steps we would advise people take to protect themselves against this type of crime.

"For instance, keeping your jewellery in a safety deposit box at your local bank rather than in your home, or if you would prefer to keep the jewellery at home invest in a good quality safe which complies with official insurance rating standards and is secured to a wall or to the floor.

"Other more simple steps include double-locking your doors and windows, use timer switches on lamps to give the impression somebody is at home or keep a light on in the evening when you leave, consider installing alarms and 'dusk to dawn' security lighting or installing CCTV cameras outside your home.

 

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Recovered jewellery

"I would also ask anyone who thinks someone is acting suspiciously in your area to come forward. If you think someone is canvasing a property then please call us and we can try and stop these criminals in their tracks before they hurt someone else."

Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: “The theft of Asian jewellery has caused real concern in the community. Many of the attacks have been extremely violent, but even for those that were not having strangers in your home taking your treasured property is massively frightening.

“I also understand that there were some concerns police were not doing taking this issue seriously. I hope these raids and arrests give reassurance to the community that police are taking strong action."