Residents going on holiday during the holiday season must prioritise security to avoid falling victim to crime while they are away.
This is according to the spokesperson for the Bedfordview SAPS, Warrant Officer Mduduzi Nhlabathi.
He said during this time of the year, people tend to relax and let their guard down as the excitement of going on leave and on holiday approaches.
“We can never emphasise enough how cunning criminals are. They are always on the lookout for easy targets and always take advantage of loopholes left by residents,” said W/O Nhlabathi.
He said if residents are leaving cars on their property, they must alert their tracking companies.
“Should the car move during the time you are away, they will know something is wrong and will act accordingly. This is important to note,” said W/O Nhlabathi.
W/O Nhlabathi said residents should try and avoid having mail pile up in their mailboxes.
“This and lights that left to burn for 24 hours on end are some of the first signs that indicate to criminals that there is no one at the property. If it is possible, it is always ideal to have someone you trust look after your home while you are away. If you have to leave your property for a long period, ensure that your security system is up to date and that you notify your security company. You also have to make sure you know the guards on duty during that period and most importantly, that you are with a company that you trust,” said W/O Nhlabathi.
He said residents with CCTV cameras should make sure they have a backup system that is not located on the same property.
“Criminals often cut off the connection of the cameras and then take the footage with them. So if you have a back up elsewhere, it will help,” he said.
W/O Nhlabathi said while residents always make arrangements to have their pets taken care of while they are away, some still leave doors and windows open for pets when going away for a short while.
“While this is dangerous for the pets themselves, it also exposes properties to the criminal factor,” said W/O Nhlabathi.
