The increasing prices of silver have been linked to theft of jewellery shops. Silver prices in India have recently surged sharply throughout the country. This rapid increase and impact not only hit buyers and sellers but has given rise to thefts targeting silver ornaments. Such events are no stranger to economic developments. Nandyal has seen some such fluctuations, which can inspire crime.
On 12 February 2023, CCTV cameras of the HM Jewellery Shop at Moin Bazar were used to catch two women accused of stealing silver anklets. The video then frames the two women sitting at a display counter while the shop attendant holds the string of anklets. Watching the attendant show the ornaments they took the jewelry, the women slipped quietly and attempted to exit without paying. The shop’s surveillance system watched the entire activity and offered tangible indications of the theft. The time stamp on the footage showed it was at 12:40 p.m. The footage went viral on social media and drew critical attention to the burgeoning trend of thefts of jewellery.
The Rapid Rising Silver Prices Fuel Thefts
— Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) February 13, 2026
Two women were caught on CCTV stealing Silver Anklets, from HM Jewellery shop at Moin Bazar in Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh.#silverprice #Nandyal #Silver #CCTV #JewelleryTheft pic.twitter.com/MzmNt1OpCG
Silver has been a safe investment for Indian consumers. As prices surged, silver ornaments have become more expensive and more vulnerable to thieves. Experts say as the price of precious metals rises, thefts frequently tend to follow, as criminals take advantage of loopholes to get their profit quickly, he said. “For shop owners, this is alarming.”
When it comes to jewellery stores, this can be especially the case in small towns where security is not even on level, at least not until you look down at CCTV cameras. Rising prices mean even small things like anklets or chains can represent a big financial failure.
And in Nandyal, safety in local markets has been a matter of discussion. Residents said increasing silver prices might also contribute to a rise in such crimes. Shopkeepers are now encouraged to become more secure, so that employers hire guards and have alarm systems in place, all to keep staff aware when they are with customers. Local police have also directed jewellery stores to report unauthorised behaviour on the spot and protect their business through technology. Community awareness programmes are being advocated to alert the public that economical changes can lead to crime.
More than a tale of local crime, thefts from HM Jewellery Shop are also reflecting a broader social change, as rising silver prices are altering social behaviour. The shop owners and customers of silver should be on the lookout, to be mindful now that the precious metal is steadily rising in value. There’s a need for additional security measures and awareness building to reduce similar incidents.
