Police warns women against gold snatchers

Athapattu Bandara

Sri Lanka Police announcesd that snatching of gold chains and jewellery from travelling women is on the rise.

Police research had found that the number of chain snatching incidents was on the rise in the Kurunegala, Negombo, Tangalle, Gampaha and Anuradhapura districts. Youths riding motorcycles had unleashed terror in many parts of the country, mainly in the above districts. Many women had sustained injuries to their necks due to snatching of chains.

These districts had witnessed a rise in the number since the beginning of January to August this year. But the chain-snatchers seem to have become active when women travel alone wearing gold jewellery.

The police advise women to avoid wearing gold jewellery when they walk alone and also to avoid travelling on lonely roads. Criminals victimize women who travel alone on unlit roads, Police sources said.

According to police, many incidents have been reported between 5.30 -8.30 am and 4.00-7.30 pm. Women departing to working places and returning home are prone to attacks by gold snatchers. So, the Police request women not to display their jewellery when they are alone or travelling on lonely roads.

In addition, women are warned to take precautionary action if they have identified the gold snatchers and inform the police.

Travelling at dawn and at dusk alone would invite such crimes, Police further said.