Kolkata Police issue urgent Security advisories to Jewelry shops amid rising concerns

In a bid to bolster security measures and curb potential criminal activities, Kolkata Police has issued a series of advisories to jewelry shops across the city. These guidelines aim to ensure the safety of both customers and valuable assets within the jewelry stores.

The key security advisories include:

1. Mandatory High-Quality CCTV Installation: Jewelry shops are required to install high-quality CCTV cameras both inside and outside their premises.
2. Separate CCTV Output Location: The CCTV output should be placed in a separate location, not within the same room as the store, to enable monitoring personnel to alert the police discreetly.
3. Cloud-Based Backup: To safeguard against local DVR damage or theft, it is recommended to maintain backup copies of CCTV footage in cloud-based storage or a secure, separate location.
4. Continuous Real-Time Monitoring: CCTV cameras must be monitored 24/7 in real-time.
5. Strategic Camera Placement: Cameras should be strategically positioned to cover entry and exit points, as well as the vault, locker, and cash counter areas.
6. Mandatory Guard Posting: Even during extended closures, such as festivals, jewelry shops are required to have security personnel on-site.
7. Qualified Armed Guards: Security personnel with valid arms licenses and functional firearms should be deployed.
8. Two-Tier Security at Entry: A two-tier security system, consisting of one security guard inside and another outside, is recommended to ensure the entry gate remains closed and customers are frisked for firearms or other prohibited items.
9. Controlled Entry Access: Entry gates should only be opened upon receiving clearance from the security guard stationed outside.
10. No Masked Entry: Customers wearing helmets, masks, or concealing their faces should not be allowed to enter the shop.
11. Employee Verification: Jewelry shops should verify the antecedents of their employees at the time of hiring and periodically thereafter.
12. Emergency Dialing: In case of any untoward incidents, shops are advised to dial 100 for immediate police assistance.

A meeting with jewelry merchants is scheduled to be held early next week at Lalbazar to further discuss and implement these security measures.