Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala  

Karkala, Jan 1: The rise in daylight thefts at jewellery stores in Karkala has raised concerns, with small jewelers becoming the primary targets of thieves. Police have advised jewellery shop owners to enhance their security measures.

Two months ago, a theft was reported at a jewellery shop in Karkala Market. Recently, another incident occurred, prompting police to issue warnings to jewelers to stay vigilant.

Karkala is home to more than 20 small and large jewellery businesses, many of which have been operating successfully for years. The town has become a hub for customers from surrounding rural areas, especially for purchasing ornaments for celebrations and other special occasions. These thefts have left small traders worried about the safety of their businesses.

In the earlier incident, a person posed as a customer at Usha Jewelers and attempted to steal a chain but was caught in the act. The accused was a local resident, and police took prompt action against him. On December 27, another theft occurred at Pranav Jewelers on Rathabeedi Road, where a man disguised as a customer escaped with rings and earrings worth over Rs 2 lakh. The police swiftly tracked the thief and are currently interrogating him.

Thieves often target small shops with minimal security or those with lone staff, assuming they can escape easily after stealing ornaments. Police have urged jewelers to install high-quality CCTV cameras and adopt adequate safety measures to protect their establishments.