Sharp increase in luxury item thefts and robberies
Reports indicate a sharp increase in thefts and robberies targeting luxury items such as gold and watches, raising concerns about security and crime trends.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Security experts are warning of a sharp rise in thefts and robberies targeting luxury items such as high value jewellery and watches, with the surge partly blamed on the rising price of gold. Gangs are said to be highly organised, often identifying vulnerable shops and individuals before striking.
Retailers are already adapting. One jeweller in Cheltenham said they now limit the number of customers allowed inside at any one time, a major change from the old open door approach. Staff also keep in constant contact with other shops in the area to monitor suspicious activity.
Industry figures show the scale of the problem. So far this year, 34 robberies at jewellers have been reported to the crime prevention scheme, with goods worth more than £3.7 million stolen. In the same period last year, only 10 robberies were reported.
Security experts point to the soaring value of gold as a key driver. The gold price spiked at the end of 2025 and continued into 2026, making luxury items more attractive to criminals. One expert noted that bank robberies have largely disappeared because banks no longer hold large amounts of cash, so criminals have switched their attention to small, high value items like gold, watches, diamonds and jewellery.
The threat is not limited to shops. Asian gold, known for its higher purity, is also a target. A valuation expert said a typical Asian household could hold up to 500 grams of jewellery, with a scrap value of between £48,000 and £50,000. That commercial value makes such homes more attractive to criminals.
With gold prices predicted to keep climbing, experts say both retailers and householders need to invest in better security measures to counter the threat.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| Broadcasters reported a sharp increase in thefts and robberies targeting luxury items, partly triggered by rising gold prices, with jewellers reporting 34 robberies this year compared to 10 last year and goods valued at over £3.7 million stolen. | |
| Broadcasters reported that Asian households can hold up to 500 grams of gold jewellery with a scrap value of £48,000 to £50,000, making them attractive targets. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focuses on the local impact in the West Country, using a specific jeweller in Cheltenham as an example. It highlights the rise in robberies, the role of gold prices, and the shift from bank robberies to luxury item theft. It also gives attention to the vulnerability of Asian households due to high purity gold. The tone is concerned and practical, urging security investment.
- “Security experts say criminals are attracted to luxury items that have increased in value.”
- “So far this year, there have been 34 robberies at jewelers reported to the industry's crime prevention scheme, with goods valued at more than £3.7 million being stolen.”
- “They simply switched their attention to small item high value. Well, that's gold, watches, diamonds, jewellery, that sort of thing.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.