A series of incidents of thefts , heists and attacks on jewellers across UP - Bareilly, Mathura , Varanasi, Lucknow - have made jewellers across Bareilly jittery. Worried city jewellers are taking additional safety measures to keep themselves safe.Screenshot of TOI article on thefts in jewellery shops and attacks on jewellers across UPA renowned jeweller in Civil lines says that at his shop, they have converted all CCTV cameras to HD quality. "In case of a theft or any untoward incident, the cameras will be able to capture quality images which will then help cops," he reasons.Ankur Anand, a city-based jeweller from Civil Lines, says, "These incidents prove how jewellers are becoming easy and soft targets."From keeping their daily itineraries a secret from their drivers to getting HD CCTVs installed in shops - jewellers in Bareilly are taking different safety measures after thefts across UP"After the Mathura (a sensational double murder-cum-heist at a jeweller's shop) and the Bareilly (armed assailants robbed a city jeweller of gold worth `2.4 crore) incidents, we have become extra cautious. Between 3-6pm, which is the peak hour, we have increased the number of guards on duty. Also, while we earlier also had CCTVs in our shop, we have installed a few more so that every aspect of the shop and its surroundings are clearly visible," Ankur Anand says.Another jeweller from Civil Lines adds, "We (jewellers) recently met the SSP Bareilly who gave us guidelines on the measures that should be taken. Apart from CCTVs, we have installed multiples hooters in our showroom, to raise a loud alarm, in case of untoward situations."Vinay Balecha, manager (head) of a popular chain of jewellery outlets in the city, adds, "We have strengthened the automatic security by installing more panic buttons in our showroom. In case miscreants manage to enter our, on pressing the button, a call would reach our head office in Mumbai, and employees there would immediately inform the police. Also, once the panic button is pressed, all the entry and exit doors would get locked automatically. We have now also hired one more day guard."During summers, some jewellers in the city would keep their shops open till 9.30-10pm, but with the spate of robbery and attacks on jewellers in recent times, shop owners have decided that there will be no additional opening hours at their shops. As Ankur Anand points out, "Now, we aren't keeping shops open till 9.30-10 pm, which was our usual routine during summers. Instead, we are closing by 8-8.30 pm, even before the rest of the market shuts shop."Not just at their shops, city jewellers are making changes in their daily routine and being extra cautious even outside.Another renowned jeweller from Civil Lines, who do not wish to be named, says, "After the Bareilly and Mathura case, I've installed GPS on my phone, and no, only my family members know of my location. In case of any trouble, automatic messages would be send to the feed numbers in my list. My phone too is on police surveillance 24X7." He adds, "Now, I keep changing my route while commuting to and fro from my home and shop. Earlier I would take one fixed route, but now I don't do that. Even when it comes to the driver, I tell him at the last moment which route to take so that he is not aware of my travel plans from beforehand. Besides, now we avoid personal phone calls in front of other staffers in the shop. Once can't be cautious enough!"Screenshot of TOI article on thefts in jewellery shops and attacks on jewellers across UPUmang Khandelwal*, a jeweller from Alamgiri Ganj, says, "As the atmosphere remains tensed, we are now hiring personal security guards. We're also trying to get jewellery stock insured as a precautionary measure, which is quite expensive - not all are big jewellers - but we have no other option. Some of us are also planning to get a liberal sanction of arms licence for personal safety. Our jewellers committee will soon meet the admin to get an alarm system installed in Alamgiri Ganj's Sarafa market connected to police control room, for any immediate help required."Jogendra Kumar, SSP Bareilly, says, "We are doing continuous day and night patrolling of jewellery markets with area-wise deployment of police in Sarafa markets. We have also told the jewellers that we will provide them with police security when they are carrying cash and gold in their cars, if needed. We have given safety guidelines to all the jewellers."(*Names changed on request)-Manyaekta.Gugliani@timesgroup.com

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