Krishna idols stolen from Swaminarayan Temple

Three precious Krishna idols dating back to the 1970s were among the items stolen in a burglary at a Swaminarayan temple in north London, according to the temple authorities.

Scotland Yard officers were called to the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir on Willesden Lane in the London borough of Brent in the early hours of Friday and have registered a case of burglary.

According to the temple President Kurjibhai Kerai, the Hari Krishna murtis were with the temple since its opening in 1975 and “hold a huge religious significance to all in our community”.

The burglary took place just hours after Diwali festivities at the temple on Friday, attended by hundreds of members of the local community.

“Police were called at 01: 50hrs on Friday, 9 November, to a report of a burglary at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Willesden Lane. Officers attended. The suspect had left the scene. Cash and other items are believed to have been stolen,” the Metropolitan Police statement said, adding that no arrests have been made in the case.

Police officers have been reviewing CCTV footage and conducting forensic searches as part of their enquiries.

While the idols are made of brass, the temple authorities fear the robbers may have mistaken them for gold and hope they would be returned as they are more precious to the community than in terms of their monetary value.