Mr Bradley du Chenne, senior executive of an insurance company, said that police information shows that people are more likely to be hijacked in a driveway than anywhere else.
“Our own claims data suggests the same. In the past two years, we have seen an increase in driveway hijackings,” he said.
Mr Du Chenne added that while criminals certainly target people who have electric gates, their window of opportunity is much bigger in instances where their target has to physically get out of their car to open the gate.
“We strongly urge consumers to install electric motors on their gates and take every precaution when leaving and arriving home,” said Mr Du Chenne.
In most driveway hijacking incidents, hijackers follow their targets home from shopping centres or petrol stations. Many also patrol neighbourhoods looking for pre-selected vehicles, watch their victims’ routines and then pounce when the moment is right.
“Sadly, the risk of being hijacked in someone else’s driveway is just as high as being hijacked outside your own home. People are targeted when picking up passengers in a car pool or for a school run, with most driveway hijackings happening in the early morning and evening,” said Mr Du Chenne.
He emphasised the importance of thoroughly scrutinising the surroundings when people approach their homes or anyone else’s home.
“Be alert at all times. If you notice a suspicious vehicle on your tail, or in the vicinity of the driveway, do not stop at the gate. Keep going to the nearest police station and phone your armed response company to tend to it,” he said.
“Also, carefully scan the area around the driveway for loiterers and to make sure there is nobody hiding in a nearby bush. Again, if you feel uneasy about anyone who happens to be strolling by, do not stop at the gate. Keep driving around the block until they are at a safe distance, or call your armed response company,” he said.
Mr Du Chenne advises people to park their vehicle parallel to the house rather than pulling into the driveway while they wait for the gate to open. “This will reduce your chances of being trapped in the driveway by another vehicle and give you some extra time to drive away in an emergency situation,” he said.
“Only enter the property when the coast is absolutely clear and close the gate immediately,” said Mr Du Chenne. He added that a leading car-tracking company reports the “boxing-in” technique to be the most common modus operandi for hijackers in the country.
Drive-way safety advice
r Keep your shrubs small and trimmed outside your gate and along your perimeter wall to increase your level of visibility and remove potential hiding places for criminals.
r Cut down any trees that offer a hiding place or potential climbing frame for criminals.
r Make sure that your gate is well lit. Ideally use motion sensor lighting as well to alert you to any movement outside your home or in your garden.
r Phone your security company to chaperone you when arriving home late at night. Criminals are known to follow their victims home from restaurants and the like.
r Never leave your gates open while you get into your car or load or unload it.
