London, Feb 7 – Indian travellers visiting posh areas of London have raised concerns about thefts, with several businesspersons reporting incidents of stolen expensive watches and bags, according to a Delhi-based entrepreneur. The issue was discussed during a meeting attended by UK shadow foreign secretary David Lammy in New Delhi, as part of discussions on UK-India relations and trade and commerce. Indian renewable energy entrepreneur Devin Narang, who chaired the meeting, expressed his concerns about Indian CEOs being targeted. Lammy assured that the issue would be addressed. While Narang himself hasn’t been targeted, he revealed that between five and eight Indian businesspeople have reported being mugged in recent years.
Narang shared some specific incidents, stating that one person had their watch snatched and their wrist slashed near the location of the American embassy in Mayfair. Another individual had their bag stolen while they were inside a store on Oxford Street. Narang further revealed that friends and family members visiting London in recent years have felt the need to constantly be cautious in upscale areas of the city. He added that people from other countries have also stopped wearing expensive watches, bags, and jewelry to avoid potential theft.
Although the incidents have not deterred Indian businesspeople from coming to London, they have become more cautious. The spokesperson for the Mayor of London noted that the Metropolitan Police have stepped up their response to robberies, with specialist teams targeting the most prolific offenders and robbery hotspots.
Lammy, along with Labour’s shadow trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds, is currently on a pre-election tour of India. Both politicians met with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional and global developments.
As theft concerns continue to be raised by Indian business travellers in London, the issue is now being brought into focus for authorities to address, ensuring safety and security for visitors and residents alike.
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