CRIME in and around Durban appears to be on the rise, with latest crime statistics from a local security company showing a 9,7 per cent month on month increase in the number of crimes reported in the greater Durban area between December and January.
This includes suburbs from Doonside and Amanzimtoti to Glenwood and the Berea, Durban North and Umhlanga and the outer west suburbs from Westville and Pinetown to Hillcrest.
According to Blue Security operations manager Brian Jackson, there were 546 crimes reported in January compared to 493 in December across all areas. He said Morningside Pinetown and Westville had the greatest number of crimes reported in January.
Jackson said crimes that spiked the most were hijackings which increased from five to nine incidents (44 per cent), while trespassing was up 33 per cent, attempted business housebreaking rose 33 per cent, business housebreaking increased 5,26 per cent and residential housebreaking increased by 1,8 per cent.
The number of armed robberies reported at business premises remained the same and residential armed robberies declined slightly for the period but from a low base.
Morningside had the greatest number of crimes reported last month at 32 cases, which includes all crimes from vandalism and trespassing to attempted housebreaking and housebreaking at business and residential premises as well as both attempted and actual rape, assault, hijacking, theft and robbery and armed robbery, with Durban showing 23 cases and Glenwood 22. In December, 30 cases were reported in Durban, 20 cases were reported in Morningside and 15 cases were reported in Glenwood.
“The spike in crimes in recent months is worrying and residents and business owners are advised to be vigilant and to be proactive about reporting any suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods. If you don’t already have a WhatsApp group or are not making use of our free Our Hood app for iPhone and Android, which connects residents in a closed geographic group to help them fight crime in their neighbourhoods, it’s worth taking a moment to get organised and invite neighbours to share crime intelligence using this technology. Many residents have already made the move to use these technologies partnering with the security companies and are making a difference in the fight against crime,” said Jackson.
He said Blue also advises residents to fit gates with anti-gatecrashing kits for an early warning system that will sound the alarm if anyone tampers with the gates and to install external beams and arm them at night when you are at home.
“If anyone is attempted to break into your home the best defense is an early warning system that will enable you to run and hide in a safe room in the house that has been equipped with a spare panic remote and a cellphone so that you can call for help in an emergency. Be vigilant when arriving and leaving home and work as driveways are one of the most vulnerable hotspots for hijackings,” he said.
Jackson said always make sure there is no-one following you home and check the outside of your property before opening the gate.
“Stop parallel to your driveway and open your gates completely before turning in so that you will be able to drive off easily if you notice any suspicious activity. Take a drive around the block and if you are still concerned about someone lurking near your property call the police and your security company to investigate,” he said.
