Police Boost Patrols Past Phuket Gold Shops

Police boost patrols past Phuket gold shops

The Thong Thanet 2 gold shop in Phuket Town, where a thief made off

with over 6 million baht in gold in June.

Maj Gen Pekad Tantipong announced that Phuket Police are on the lookout

for suspicious activity around gold shops.

PHUKET: -- Local police have been ordered to pay special attention to Phuket gold shops as the price of the precious metal continues to rise, the provincial police commander has announced.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pekad Tantipong ordered patrol units in all districts to be on the lookout for strange activity near gold shops, such as repeated passes by the same vehicle.

“People planning a crime of this sort study their target before taking action, so police need to notice this activity in order to prevent robberies,” he said.

“The price of gold keeps increasing, so gold shops have to set up measures to protect themselves as well. In the past we held meetings with shop owners to discuss protection strategies,” he added.

All 112 police districts throughout Police Region 8 are cooperating to locate and arrest the man who stole more than 6 million baht in gold from a shop at the Yee Teng Complex in Phuket Town in June.

Provincial Police Region 8 Commissioner Kokiat Wongvoracha has provided strong support for the ongoing investigation, Maj Gen Pekad said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/detail.asp?id=10919

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-09-03