With due regards, we introduce to you, Bristol Keralites Association (BrisKA) which is a community organization with primary focus on social and cultural activities of the Indian community in Bristol to promote welfare of its members and to foster goodwill and harmony in the wider society. We have over 250 families registered in our association.

In the last few months, our attention has been drawn to a number of burglaries took place in many of our member’s houses in Bristol. Many of these robberies happened in Southmead, Filton, Kingswood, St. George, Bradley Stoke and Fishponds area in Bristol. In our initial investigation, we found that the thugs are targeting Indian families because they believe that Indians use a lot of gold jewellery. Robbers have been using the metal detectors to find out gold and jewellery in the houses they robbed. They are not interested in anything other than gold and precious jewellery. Few of our members were also lost their cars along with the gold and precious jewellery. Some cases, family members have been kept at knife point by one man while others robbed the house. Because of the recent burglaries our association members are frightened and terrified as they think they will be the next target.

We strongly believe that Avon and Somerset Police are not doing enough investigations or follow ups to find the robbers and stop these robberies happening again. Police is only registering the case and doing a routine investigation and close the file. Once the case is registered victim will be given the crime number and will be asked to contact their insurer for the insurance claim. There wasn’t even one case where Police were able to arrest the culprits. Robbers are taking advantage of this as they now knew that police are not going do anything to arrest them.

Therefore, in the light of the above we demand the following:

1. Avon and Somerset Police must start investigations immediately on the houses robbed recently and arrest robbers
2. Increase police patrols in affected areas and communities
3. Meeting with community police officers in Southmead, Fishponds, Filton and Kingswood to address the member's concerns and take measures to be taken to avoid these in the future
4. Police must provide reassurance and 'a sense of security' to the affected communities
5. Effective measures to build strong neighbourhood partnerships in all affected areas

To raise these issues to Avon and Somerset Police, BrisKA committee has decided to create an online petition on behalf of BrisKA members. BrisKA Committee request all BrisKA members to share and support this online petition. Once we have enough signatures, we can hand over this to the Avon and Somerset Police.

Thanks very much for your help and support.

Kind Regards,

BrisKA Committee