Owners of distinctive bright Asian gold jewellery have been urged to take precautions as crooks continue to target their valuable hoards.

They should be discreet when wearing their treasures in publis, say police, and make sure they are securely stored when kept at home.

The advice and reassurance from the Hertfordshire force comes after a rise in the number of burglaries where valuable items of Asian gold and jewellery have been stolen.

Inspector Paul Lawrence from the force’s crime reduction unit said: “Some families who have large collections of valuable jewellery, and in particular Asian gold, have been targeted by criminals in the past.

“Wearing lots of gold and jewels to weddings and religious festivals can draw unwanted attention from criminals, so we recommend keeping it hidden until you reach the venue.

“Burglars tend to target houses that are empty, particularly if they are not very well-secured. Taking basic steps to secure your home can be enough to deter many burglars. If you have made a significant investment in gold and jewellery, it makes sense to take all possible precautions to protect these items.”

To help keep your property safe and home secure, follow these steps:

Make sure you double-lock any UPVC doors by lifting the handle and turning the key.

Check all doors are locked and all windows, including those upstairs, are secure before you go out or go to bed.

Use timer switches on lamps to give the impression somebody is at home or keep a light on in the evening if you go out. However, many burglaries happen during the day when homes are empty, so consider using timer switches for radios or TVs to make it appear someone is home.

Consider installing alarms and ‘dusk to dawn’ security lighting.

Keep all jewellery and other valuables in a safety deposit box – speak to your local bank to find out what’s available.

Particularly during the wedding season and religious holidays consider keeping jewellery hidden and discreet when wearing it in public until you get to the venue.

You can register your property on the free secure online database www.immobilise.com, then if your valuables are lost or stolen police can return them to you. For more advice on protecting your gold, visit the crime prevention pages at www.herts.police.uk or call the Hertfordshire Constabulary’s non-emergency number: 101 and ask to speak to a Crime Prevention Officer.