By Kirsty Topping
A GANG of thugs burst into the home of one of Scotland’s top asian businessmen before beating him and stealing jewellery.
Bindi Singh, who owns several businesses in the capital, was targeted in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Up to six men burst into his home in Edinburgh’s upmarket Hillpark Grove and assaulted him before making off with some jewellery.
Police have declined to give details of what was stolen but Asian families have previously been targeted in their homes by criminals looking for gold.
Asian families customarily own gold jewellery that is far more pure – and hence valuable – than that sold in UK stores.
However, the family’s Range Rover and Ferrari, both bearing personalised number plates, were left untouched.
Mr Singh is said to own up to 11 shops in the area, including souvenir shops, several newsagents and the Scottish Experience, in the Lawnmarket.
Today staff at the Scottish Experience said: “There is no comment to make.”
The house is part of a small gated modern addition to the street.
Comprising of five large homes with neatly manicures lawns, the mini-estate is clearly a home for the wealthy.
An assortment of high-powered cars sat on driveways and gardeners could be seen maintaining the immaculate surroundings.
Today at the house a man, believed to be Mr Singh, who was nursing a black eye refused to comment on the robbery.
Two bootmarks were visible on the white door of the palatial mansion and leading in the door and paving outside was damaged.
A locksmith’s van was parked on the road outside.
Police said the break in occured sometime between 3.15am and 6am and that a 48-year-old man had been assaulted.
They added that while he had suffered cuts and bruises, he did not require hospital treatment.
They added that there was no description available of the men involved, and refused to speculate on their ethnicity.
A police spokesperson said: “Inquiries are at a very early stage, and we are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area anytime between 2am and 6am on Sunday morning, and who may have seen something suspicious, to get in touch with police.
Asked if the family had been targeted due to the fact asian jewellery has a higher purity than western jewellery, a police spokesman said: “I couldn’t say at this stage.
“Enquiries are ongoing and I would not like to speculate on a motive.”
