Sky-high gold prices are making Indian women a target for violent street robbers, who target their jewellery, often snatching chains from necks and rings from fingers.
One mugger, 19 year-old Dario Critchlow, (pictured) of Ilex Road, Willesden is starting a five-year sentence after he and his masked accomplices preyed on one middle-aged couple.
He was convicted along with a 17 year-old accomplice - who received three years – of robbing the married couple as they walked to a bus stop in Wealdstone High Street, Harrow on December 5, 2009.
The two defendants and an unidentified third mugger all wore dark hooded tops with scarves covering their faces.
They struck the 63 year-old husband over the head, knocking him to the ground, then forced his 59 year-old wife to the ground, snatching a gold chain from her neck and unsuccessfully trying to rip the rings off her fingers.
The couple were taken to Northwick Park Hospital, with the husband suffering head injuries and back pain and his wife needing a cast fitted for severe bruising to her arms.
The man later died of natural causes early this year.
After the convictions at Harrow Crown Court Police Constable Ali Khan said: “This was a planned and violent attack on a couple who were targeted for the gold jewellery worn by the woman.
“The couple were out shopping when the robbers attacked, knocking a sixty-three year-old man to ground and then stealing his wife’s jewellery as she too was lying helpless on the ground.
“The robbery left the couple traumatized with both victims suffering physical injuries, while afterwards finding it difficult to sleep and being afraid to go out.
“This also had a severe affect on their family.”
Statistics show there was a rise in Indian robbery victims last year, who accounted for approximately 30% of all street robbery victims.
A key factor in these robberies has been the lure of gold jewellery.
Commander Simon Pountain said: “The Met takes street robbery very seriously - being robbed is a traumatic experience.
“However, the public can minimise the chance of it happening by taking some basic measures.
“When you are out, where possible try to keep any valuables hidden. If you are wearing jewellery we would urge you to cover it, perhaps with a scarf.
“Robbers simply see your gold jewellery and other precious items such as MP3 players as hard cash.
“We’re not asking the public not to wear jewellery, or to use their phones or media players in public - we’re just advising them to be vigilant about where and when they use them.”
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