Other UK News In Brief

Aggravated Burglary At Hindu Temple

Officers from Croydon are investigating an aggravated burglary at a Hindu temple in Thornton Heath in the early hours of Thursday. Police were called at around 4.20am to the premises in Thornton Road following the raid. At least three suspects had forced their way into the premises and had burgled the worship area, taking various religious jewellery including gold chains and pendants. The value is not known at present but is believed to be worth thousands of pounds. They also stole a quantity of cash from a donations box. They then made their way into an office within the premises waking a man in his 40s who was sleeping in a bedroom next door. The man, a priest visiting the temple from India, had jewellery forcefully removed from him, resulting in him sustaining minor injuries. The jewellery snatched from him included a gold chain with a distinctive pendant, that was around his neck. It is described as 0.5cm thick and approximately 50cm in length. The pendant is globe shaped with the outer covered in gold and the centre made from a dried fruit sap that has religious meaning. The pendant has two holes on either side, at 'three o'clock' and 'six o'clock', so that it fits to the chain and is estimated to be 2.5cm wide. After the raid, the suspects fled the building. Officers are carrying out forensic tests within the building and making inquiries in the area. Anyone with information about this incident or who believes they heard or saw something suspicious in the area at this time should contact Croydon police.

Thefts Of Rhino Horn On The Increase

The Metropolitan Police Service’s Art and Antiques Unit have been made aware of an emerging crime trend relating to the theft of rhino horn from museums, auction houses and other institutions throughout the UK and Europe. It is believed that organised criminal gangs are targeting premises after conducting research and hostile reconnaissance. They use a variety of methods to steal the objects including 'smash and grab' style thefts and overnight burglaries. The latest spate of offences has been sparked by the significant increase in the value of rhino horn which is used in the traditional medicines of many Asian countries. Recently there have been a number of significant seizures by customs officers worldwide and South Africa has recorded a vast increase in the poaching of rhinoceros across the country. Detective Constable Ian Lawson, from the Art and Antiques Unit, said: “We have been made aware of approximately 20 thefts of rhino horn from museums and auctions houses across the UK and Europe in the past six months. Additionally we have been made aware of incidents in the UK where premises that have rhino horn on display have been subject to hostile reconnaissance. We advise all museums, auction houses, stately homes or private individuals who are in possession of rhino horns to be extra vigilant and review their security arrangements. Consideration should be given to removing rhino horns from public display and storing them in secure locations, informing the public that the items have been removed."

Manchester's TV Star Volunteers Show How Mediation Works Better

Manchester volunteers have been hailed by Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly after their work healing local community rifts attracted star billing on national television. Mr Djanogly visited the city today to meet a team of mediators who are the focus of a new national television series which follows them as they help neighbours locked in long-term conflicts over issues like playing loud music, bad parking and overgrown hedges. Mediation is often a quicker and cheaper way of resolving disputes and stops people having to go through the anxiety of attending court. He said the project was an example of communities taking the initiative to sort out their own problems in a way that suits them, instead of letting them deteriorate into legal battles – something the Government has been actively promoting.

(BMcN/KMcA)