Worshippers at a mosque in Yorkshire are living in constant fear after a series of daring heists that have left the local community on edge.
A masked thief has been targeting members of the mosque while they are at prayer, taking advantage of their absence to commit these shocking crimes.
The police are currently on the hunt for the suspect after CCTV footage captured the thief entering one of the properties in York.
This marks one of a total of ten burglaries that have taken place recently.
A Thief with No Limits
The burglaries have been particularly devastating, with one victim losing over £100,000 worth of gold jewelry.
In another case, a widower’s late wife’s death certificate was among the items taken.
These crimes have left the community in disbelief, especially as many of the victims believe they are being specifically targeted because of the Islamic tradition of providing a dowry, or mehr, during marriage.
This custom often involves gold being passed from the husband to the wife, and the high value of this gold has made these families prime targets for the thief.
A Community in Shock
The police investigation has revealed that the majority of the victims of these burglaries have been of Asian origin, with many of the incidents occurring in the east side of York between January and March.
In the area of Fulford, a family lost over £100,000 worth of gold, and in another instance, a suitcase containing £6,000 in cash and £6,000 worth of jewelry was stolen, along with sentimental items, including a deceased wife’s death certificate.
One community member explained that many families are forced to sell land and convert it into gold to fulfill the dowry requirement, which further explains why so much gold is kept in the house.
CCTV Footage Reveals Masked Thief
Police have released CCTV footage showing the masked suspect entering a property on Kirkham Avenue in Heworth, a working-class area of York.
The thief is seen wearing a balaclava and a puffer jacket as they break in through a glass door.
While residents in the area were shocked to learn of the burglaries, they had no idea these events had occurred so close to home.
Many have received warning leaflets from the police but had no prior knowledge of the scale of the crimes happening in their neighborhood.
A Neighborhood in Shock
Adrian Bryfcznski, a 36-year-old factory worker, shared his disbelief: “I’ve never heard anything like this happening on the street before.
I’ve lived here for six years, and nothing like this has ever happened. It’s been a shock to everyone.”
Longtime resident Rosanne Gallagher, who has lived on the street since 1964, expressed her concerns as well.
“Who has £100,000 worth of gold around here?” she said.
“This is the first I’ve heard of this, and things spread quickly around here. It’s worrying for everyone.”
Rising Gold Prices May Fuel Crime Wave
Detective Chief Inspector Shaun Page of North Yorkshire Police acknowledged the concern surrounding these burglaries, which seem to be driven by the rising value of gold.
He explained, “This spate of gold burglaries is concerning, and a full investigation is underway.
I believe there is information within the local community that can help us, and I’m hopeful that our appeal on BBC Crimewatch will generate new leads.”
He also urged residents to be cautious, particularly those who own gold, and suggested simple crime prevention steps to keep their properties safe from thieves.
A Community United Against Crime
The investigation into these burglaries continues, with the police working closely with local communities to raise awareness and provide crime prevention advice.
The Yorkshire mosque has not issued an official statement, but it has been confirmed that members of the congregation have been affected by the burglaries.
As the community comes together to address this issue, they remain hopeful that the thief will be caught, and their sense of safety will be restored.