Burglaries on the rise
Report any suspicious persons, noises or sounds to the police immediately.
Brakpan police have pleaded with residents to take every precaution possible to prevent home burglaries.
This follows an increase in cases all over Brakpan.
The local SAPS reports that some community members are careless when it comes to home security – leaving gates and windows wide open, and in some instances, even the keys hanging in the door.
By taking simple precautions, however, residents can play an important role in preventing burglaries:
• Keep all your doors and security gates locked at all times, even when there is more than one person at home.
All main doors should be fitted with strong locks.
• Keep your garden well lit and trees and plants trimmed to eliminate any possible hiding places.
• Ensure that your house’s street number is clearly marked on your wall, fence or gate so that it can be easily seen by emergency service personnel or the police who may need to get to you.
• If you are able to install additional security devices, do so as every deterrent helps.
Read: Daily crime watch
Consider installing a burglar alarm and panic buttons, burglar bars and security gates, as well as remote control gates and garage doors to prevent you from having to step out of your car when leaving and returning home.
• When you go away on holiday, try to install timers that will automatically switch lights on and off in your house to make it appear as if there is someone at home in the evenings.
Call upon a reliable friend to house-sit for you if possible.
• It is your right to see the identification cards of callers who claim to be government or municipal officials or even police officers.
Even if they are in uniform, insist on it.
If they refuse, order them to leave your property immediately and report the matter to the police.
• Never open the door to strangers and alert your family members or friends if you are sending someone unknown to their house.
• Keep cash, valuables and firearms in safe boxes that are securely bolted down.
• Report any suspicious persons, noises or sounds to the police immediately.
Remember to listen for the neighbours’ dogs barking unusually late in the evening or early in the morning.
The Brakpan police can be contacted on 011 744 7136.
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