The Sikh Council UK has today published a press release in which they say the following:
“Urgent Safety concerns and initiatives for Sikh Gurdwaras and Organisations in the UK
We wish to draw your attention to pressing safety concerns and proactive measures aimed at ensuring the security and well-being o our cherished community.
Recent events have shaken our sense of security, notably the heart-breaking loss of Bhai Hardeep Singh Jijjar, President of Guru Nana Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. His tragic killing on June 18th. within the sacred premises of the gurdwara has sent shockwaves through our community. In addition to this, reports have surfaced of individuals allegedly associated with the government of India making unwarranted approaches to members of our community residing in the United Kingdom. These developments underscore the imperative need or vigilance and proactive efforts in safeguarding our community.
In the event of an emergency or any live incidents, please do not hesitate to dial 999, the emergency services number in the United Kingdom. For non-emergency safety and security concerns, you can contact the police by dialling 101. Kindly request your local police constabulary to categorise such incidents as ‘Sikh Hate Crime” or statistical purposes.
We strongly urge all members o our community to promptly report any criminal incidents to the police. Reporting is paramount or effectively addressing safety concerns and ensuring appropriate actions are taken.
Recognising that trust between the Sikh community and statutory bodies has been an ongoing issue, we have actively sought guidance rom reputable voluntary organisations such as Neighbourhood Watch. Many individuals from our community actively participate in Neighbourhood Watch programs across the country, and we encourage you to connect with your local Neighbourhood Watch community https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/get-involved/find-my-local-scheme/
Moreover, we are in the process of arranging a Zoom/Teams call soon, during which we will invite experts to provide invaluable guidance on safeguarding our community and Gurdwaras against crime and harm.
The challenges faced by the Sikh community have not gone unnoticed by other South Asian communities. We also encourage you to collaborate within your local interfaith communities to collectively combat misinformation and enhance the knowledge and understanding that statutory organisations have about Sikhs.
Safety and security are of paramount importance, and through collaborative efforts, we can create a safer environment for our community. We will keep you informed about further developments and initiatives.
Yours sincerely
- END – signed by Manmagun Singh Randhawa
Spokesperson Sikh Council UK info@sikhcouncil.co.uk”
We recommend that you register with two websites
OWL – the police mailing list database to get direct police communications
Ourwatch – to find or create a local watch shemes
Safe – CST – the specialist religious community organisations, delivering free safety courses.
Tower Hamlets Neighbourhood Watch Association (THNWA) 