Surrey police report rising distraction thefts near gurdwaras. Seniors are urged to stay alert as incidents increase in early 2026.
Police Report Rise in Distraction Thefts Near Surrey Gurdwaras
SURREY, B.C. — Seniors are being targeted in a series of distraction thefts outside gurdwaras in Surrey, according to the Surrey Police Service.
Police say 50 distraction thefts were investigated in 2025. So far in 2026, four incidents have been reported. Each of this year’s cases occurred near local gurdwaras.
Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said the pattern is troubling.
“Places of worship should be sanctuaries,” he said. “Targeting people in these spaces is completely inappropriate.”
How the Thefts Occur
Distraction thefts typically involve suspects approaching victims and engaging them in conversation. During the interaction, valuables such as jewelry or cash are taken. In some cases, authentic items are swapped with imitation pieces.
Police say suspects may offer rides, ask for directions or attempt to create familiarity by speaking Punjabi. Often, seniors do not realize a theft has occurred until later, which makes investigations more difficult.
According to Houghton, police are sometimes notified only after family members notice jewelry has been replaced with counterfeit items.
Suspicious Encounter at Local Gurdwara
In late January, a woman in her 70s reported a suspicious interaction outside Gurdwara Sahib Dashmesh Darbar on 85 Avenue.
Her son, Harwinder Singh Rai, said two people in a grey Toyota SUV approached his mother while she was walking alone. They offered her a ride and showed her a ring, suggesting they would give her a larger one.
Rai said his mother became suspicious, declined the offer and later informed gurdwara officials.
No theft was reported in that incident.
Community Leaders Express Concern
Moninder Singh, spokesperson for the B.C. Gurdwaras Council, said reports of similar incidents have increased in recent weeks.
He noted that seniors may be particularly vulnerable due to age, language barriers and a tendency to trust members of their own community.
Singh said he would like to see additional policing resources deployed to address the issue.
Police Safety Advice
The Surrey Police Service advises seniors to remain aware of their surroundings and to avoid walking alone when possible. Officers also recommend maintaining personal space from strangers and avoiding the public display of expensive jewelry.
If approached unexpectedly, individuals are encouraged to keep their distance and seek help if they feel unsafe.
Police urge anyone who believes they have been the victim of a distraction theft to call 911 immediately.
