Edenvale SAPS and security companies urged pre-primary schools to be cautious of thieves visiting schools.
Last week the NEWS received several warnings which detailed how thieves targeted schools, gained access and stole valuables.
Most of the warnings said that thieves included two women, a man and at least one child.
Renee Basson, community development manager at Fidelity ADT, said the adults visit the school and pretend to want to register the child/children at the school.
She said while the adults keep staff busy, the children steal cellphones and other valuables.
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“Do not confront the suspects, but call 10111 and your security company,” said Basson.
“Do not leave visiting children unattended. Assign a teacher or staff member to keep them entertained.”
Abigail Guyonnaud, owner and principal of Egoli Kids Playschool, said two women and a man who she believes had ulterior motives recently attempted to view the school.
She said one of the women phoned the school on July 9 from the Terrace Road tower gate.
The woman asked to look at the school as she was interested in enrolling her children.
“I told her she could not enter the school as she needed an appointment to view the school,” said Guyonnaud.
After she heard this, the woman became quite aggressive and rude.
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“She insisted on viewing the school as she didn’t have time to make an appointment and come back later.
“I explained to her that I don’t allow walk-ins and that at the moment we were not accepting new enrolments as the school may close at the end of the year.”
The woman then ended the call and left.
“Numerous people request to view the school without appointments,” said Guyonnaud.
“I didn’t think that it was the same group of people targeting schools until the warnings were shared on our principal WhatsApp group, and I put two and two together.”
When Guyonnaud reviewed camera footage, she saw two other people were with the woman whom she had spoken to.
Guyonnaud told the NEWS she could not see any children with the adults.
She assured parents that the individuals did not gain access to the school property.
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Edenvale SAPS spokesperson Sgt Jacob Mashile said the police are aware of this modus operandi.
“No cases of this nature were opened at Edenvale Police Station.”
Mashile said the police are working closely with security companies to keep an eye on pre-primary schools.
Crime prevention tips Mashile shared with schools included:
• Staff locking their valuables away.
• To keep laptops out of sight.
• To keep an eye on all visitors at all times.
“If possible, look for identifying features of the suspects so a full description can be done afterwards and try to get a vehicle registration and description of the car,” said Basson.
Mamba Security officer, Brett Napier, said the security organisation is also aware of the modus operandi, but none of their clients has reported crimes of this nature.
He encouraged school management to be vigilant and careful.
