After Shree Swaminarayan Temple on Willesden Lane and the Shri Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple (SKSS) Temple on Westfield Lane in Harrow were burgled within five days of each other in November, burglars have now stolen £10,000 worth of donations from Buddhist community centre in Aldershot. Police Officers are appealing for witnesses after £10,000 worth of donations were stolen from the Buddhist Community Centre UK (BCCUK), High Street, Aldershot.
On November 15th, in a distraction burglary, a man and a woman entered BCCUK at around 5:15pm, asking to be shown around, as they wanted to get married there. As they were taken on a tour of the building, five other people, a man and four women, walked in and started searching different rooms. When they all left, just before 5:30pm, it was discovered that money and other items had been stolen – including a suitcase containing £10,000 worth of donations, along with $1,000 and personal documents. Clothing was also stolen and white scarves which the Lama wears as part of his dress.
Chief Inspector Karen McManus said, “It is shocking that such a well-loved part of our community has been targeted in this way.
“This community centre is used by so many people and offers great comfort and support to those who live and work in the area. “The money stolen is vital to keeping the centre running and was generously donated by the community. “We know that this will have caused huge upset, but I would like to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to find the people responsible. “If you saw a group of men and women in the area acting suspicious that day, please speak to us. “Anyone with information is asked to contact us on 101, quoting 44180429793, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
The distressed community has no idea if all the burglaries are related. But a community leader told Asian Voice, “It looks like an organised attack on our temples and places of worship, because of the wealth associated with the community and their faith. It is a shocking chain of incidents.”
