FOLLOWING a spate of thefts over the past week, residents have been warned not to leave valuables like bicycles lying around the garden during the school holidays.
Blue Security operations manager Brian Jackson said a string of opportunistic thefts had been reported to the company recently where thieves had jumped over walls in broad daylight to steal items ranging from bicycles and copper cables to gate motors.
“In an incident in Wanless Road on Friday thieves jumped over the property fence and fled with two bicycles, and in 11th Avenue two alleged thieves dropped two bicycles which they had stolen from a property and fled when a resident approached them,” he said.
Other thefts were reported in Brazillia Place, Bowen Avenue and Grundel Road in Carrington Heights, in Hannah Road and Dan Piennaar Road in Umbilo and in Harvey Road in Morningside. Items stolen included two gate motors, a bicycle, a gas bottle and clothes which thieves managed to fish out of a window.
Jackson advised residents to remain vigilant during the festive season as opportunistic and organised criminals would be seeking opportunities.
“If you have bought new electronic goods such as a television or laptop don’t place boxes in the trash as criminals may check the trash for clues regarding what they can expect to find in your home while you are away. Rather, cut the boxes up or take them to the local dump,” he said.
He urged residents to make sure children don’t leave their bicycles lying out in the garden when they were not being used and when packing your car to go away, not to leave goods unattended, even if they are behind locked gates.
“Visible valuables will always pose a temptation to opportunistic criminals who might take a chance and jump into your property,” he said.
Jackson advised residents to ensure their home alarms were on before leaving on holiday, to use light timers or sensors to ensure lights come on at night and to ask their neighbours to remove newspapers and post to avoid the house appearing empty.
