The Risk Report: Staying One Step Ahead of Crime in the Jewellery Industry
Crime remains a real and ongoing concern in the jewellery industry, making awareness, preparedness, and collaboration more important than ever. The Jewellery Council Risk Initiative (JCRI) plays a key role in supporting jewellers by sharing timely information, encouraging preventative measures, and strengthening relationships between the industry and law enforcement.
Originally established in 2012/13, the JCRI has grown into a trusted platform where jewellers can learn from incidents, share intelligence, and respond more effectively to criminal activity. From 2026, the initiative will be managed fully in-house by the Jewellery Council, allowing resources to be directed more efficiently toward targeted, industry-specific crime prevention. The initiative continues to be guided by a multi-stakeholder committee including law enforcement, private security, insurers, and industry representatives.
Encouraging progress has been seen over the past year. Improved CCTV quality has contributed to successful arrests and prosecutions, theft cases are being treated more seriously within the criminal justice system, and crime has declined in areas where bail was denied. The SAPS Safer Festive Season Campaign has also once again reinforced the importance of vigilance, particularly in smaller malls and shopping centres.
This monthly column will focus on practical, actionable guidance to help jewellers strengthen security, respond effectively to incidents, and protect staff, customers, and assets. Topics will include sharing intelligence, documenting incidents correctly, leveraging technology, and learning from successful prosecutions.
By working together, sharing experiences, and staying informed, the jewellery industry can build a safer, more resilient environment for everyone.
Call to Action:
All security-related incidents, whether successful or attempted, should be reported to the Jewellery Council of South Africa at admin@jewellery.org.za. Please include details such as the date, time and location, a description of the incident, suspect or vehicle information, CCTV footage or images, and the SAPS case number where applicable.