ADT provided the following tips:
- Lock all your doors and close the windows when driving. Never open vehicle windows or doors for strangers.
- Avoid opening your windows or getting involved in discussions with street vendors or anyone handing out flyers.
- Be constantly on the lookout for suspicious looking characters.
- Always be conscious of your surroundings and remain alert when coming to an intersection or stopping your vehicle.
- Be wary of people standing at intersections.
- If you encounter obstacles such as rocks or tyres, do not get out of your vehicle to remove them; immediately reverse and drive off in the opposite direction.
- Leave a gap between you and the car in front of you to give you room to escape if you need to.
Arrive Alive said thieves are usually after valuables which they can easily identify from outside the vehicle and sell as easily once removed from the possession of the motorists.
Items targeted include:
- Purses, handbags and wallets.
- Laptop bags, briefcases and backpacks.
- Shopping bags.
- Cellphones, MP3 players and tablets.
- Loose change and CDs.
- Keys.
ADT central managing director Clive Humphrey said people should not fight back when they are targeted.
“Letting the criminal take your handbag or cellphone could save your life,” said Humphrey.
“What’s important is that you report the incident to the police as soon as possible.
“The SAPS rely on intelligence to manage hot spots and trends.”
The City Times reported on these smash-and-grab hot spots in Benoni, in September:
- Snake Road on and off-ramps.
- Main Reef and Snake roads.
- Bunyan Street on and off-ramps.
- Range View Road and Dewalt Hattingh Road.
Benoni SAPS’ Const Zunickha Essakjee said there have been no reported smash-and-grab cases in the Benoni Police Station precinct in the past month.
