AFTER a recent spike in crime, Berea SAPS has shared safety tips on what to do in a hijacking or hostage situation.
“The following safety tips will provide a potential hostage or victim of a hijacking with practical advice. In many instances, injuries and death are the result of conduct by the victims themselves. There are certain guidelines that could increase a victim’s chances of survival and decrease the risk of being humiliated, experiencing discomfort or injury,” said spokesperson for the Berea SAPS, Captain Poobalan Naidoo.
Naidoo said it is important to know what to expect.
“People who are taken hostage or hijacked, tend to experience feelings of anxiety, shock, disbelief and confusion. This first reaction usually leads to resistance or retaliation, which could have fatal consequences,” he said.
“Know what to expect of the perpetrators. They could be tense, anxious and nervous. They could display a tendency to overreact,” added Naidoo.
Also read: SAPS arrest 15 for possession of dangerous weapons in Point area
Staying calm is vital in a hostage situation.
“Do everything the perpetrators tell you to do. Try at all times to maintain your pride, dignity and self-respect. Keep your brain active by playing games in your mind, daydreaming and reading whatever you are offered. Try to maintain a sense of humour, but never ridicule the aggressors. Try to remain orientated regarding your movements, directions, time and place. Allow yourself to be led by your captor(s). Try to remain cool and calm,” said Naidoo.
Also read: Vehicle recovered after Morningside hijacking
He urged the community to avoid confrontation and try not to anger a captor.
“Do not, at any time, become panic-stricken or hysterical or offer any form of resistance. Do not become abusive and aggressive or lose your temper. Do not threaten or provoke the captor(s) Do not engage in an argument with the captor(s) or in any whispered conversations with the perpetrators,” added Naidoo.
There were numerous arrests made by Berea SAPS this week, including four arrests for theft, two arrests for armed robbery, two arrests for fraud and one arrest for malicious damage to property as well as 12 arrests for contraventions of the National Road Traffic Act.
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