Step up patrolling, traders tell Mumbai cops

With a spate of robberies at jewellery manufacturing units and shops in the city, jewellers’ bodies have asked the police to increase patrolling in vulnerable areas.

Kumar Jain, secretary of the Mumbai Dagina Bazaar and vice president of the Jewellers’ Association, said that shop owners have approached the police for help. “The police are cooperating with and helping us,” he said.

He added: “Earlier, there used to be a system wherein constables patrolling a particular area would sign a register after every 15 shops. The signing was not important; seeing men in uniform would scare robbers. We are hoping that the police will resort to the system once again.”

He said that the police have asked the shop owners to install CCTV cameras and stock mirchi powder, rods and hockey sticks for self-defence. “We already have CCTVs and armed security guards in place, but we may increase their numbers after our association’s meeting. A few people stay back in some shops during the night to help secure them better. I don’t know how helpful the other suggestions made by the police will be helpful.”