STUDENTS who walk to and from the university wearing headphones, or visibly using their cellphones have become soft targets for petty thieves who hold them up, sometimes at knife-point, and snatch their phones.
According to Wally Coombe from Umbilo/Glenmore Neighbourhood Watch, 27 students were observed walking in the area, all were wearing headphones and unaware of what was going on around them. He said robbers all fit the student profile so it was not easy to spot them.
RESIDENTS are urged not to put refuse bags out at night as scavengers rifle through the bags looking for items. Roaming dogs add to the problem as they tear bags and scatter rubbish around.
FENCE-HOPPERS have been busy in the Umbilo and Glenmore area. A resident had a weedeater, extension cord and tools taken from his property in the early hours of the morning. These items were later recovered when Blue apprehended the man in Bartle Road and recovered a knife, spark plug and allen key. Residents are urged to investigate when they hear dogs bark.
CRIME incidents on the bridge near Brettonwood School have dropped since police have been patrolling the area, however there has been an increase in the theft of Yaris cars and Fortuner Land Cruisers in the area.
IF your automatic gate is damaged get it fixed immediately as it might be a ploy engineered by thieves. A resident whose gate was broken was recently robbed.
THE COMMWATCH WEBSITE is now online and will give live Twitter feeds of crimes and road reports. You will be able to see not only the crimes in areas where you live, but also where you work. The local SAPS has endorsed this community-based project.
Visit: https://www.kzncommwatch.co.za
