Crime escalates as the holidays approach

As the year draws to a close and Christmas draws near, Brakpan police have appealed to residents to be vigilant.

The holidays usually see a spike in crime and police have already noted an increase in house and business robberies, as well as hijackings.

Twelve cases of hijacking were reported to the local SAPS during October, compared to only four reported during the same month last year.

House robberies also increased — from one case in October last year, to five cases last month.

This past weekend alone saw three business robberies taking place.

These occurred at businesses along Farquharson Road in Sonneveld, 12th Road in Maryvlei, and Atomic Street in Vulcania.

Brandishing firearms, the robbers made off with cash, cigarettes, electronics and other valuables worth thousands of rands.

According to police, the culprits usually strike at closing and opening times.

They urged business owners to change up their daily routines and to install CCTV cameras with high definition video quality.

This will assist police in the event of a robbery.

Read: Benoni Flying Squad pays credit to Brakpan SAPS

Another crime that increases as the festive season approaches is bank-followings.

This is where criminals follow people who have withdrawn large amounts of cash from banks and then rob them.

To help combat this crime, police encourage residents and business owners who intend withdrawing large sums of money to contact them and, where possible, a police escort will be arranged.

This service is only available in the Brakpan area.

For more information, contact the local SAPS on 011 744 7100.

While police will intensify operations over the holiday period, community members are requested to ensure their properties and belongings are properly protected against criminals.

Suspicious-looking people, vehicles and activities must be reported to the police immediately.

Residents can play an important part by taking simple, precautionary measures:

• Know all emergency numbers.

• Don’t leave your gates, garage, front or back door open or partially open.

• Never open the door automatically whenever the bell rings or if someone knocks.

Make completely sure the person wanting to enter is expected.

Domestic workers, garden staff and children are often approached by robbers who act as telephone or TV repairmen, electricians, plumbers, TV licence or municipality inspectors and many other professions.

In an effort to gain entrance robbers use a cellphone and make as if they are talking to the owner of the house so as to put pressure on unsuspecting victims to open the gate or door.

Those remaining at home should be made aware of these scams.

Emphasise the need for security to your domestic worker, so too ensuring his/her own safety.

Arrange with people who remain at home on how you will inform them if there is a need for them to open the house for deliveries, maintenance work or repairs.

Always use the same procedure and inform the companies involved that they will not gain access unless you have made a specific arrangement.

Also read: Help police track down missing man

• A watchdog is a good early warning system.

Keep it visible as a deterrent but beyond the reach of strangers.

The unexplainable death of a watchdog is a warning sign of a possible burglary.

• If your house alarm goes off, or you hear strange noises or your dogs bark, switch on the outside lights.

• Always check the identity of strangers who visit for business purposes, to do deliveries or repairs.

Ensure that you stay out of their reach to prevent being grabbed through a closed gate.

• When employing someone request their identity document and make a copy thereof for safekeeping.

Check their previous employment references and do security clearances at the police.

• Install the best security you can afford, especially security gates on outside doors.

Keep these gates locked. If possible fix a door viewer and latch chain.

• When approaching your house entrance by foot or by car ensure that it is safe to enter and that you have not been followed.

Be aware of persons loitering at the entrance.

Do not leave keys in a hidden place for domestic staff or children, robbers often stake out a house and will find out about these hiding places.

Do not give keys to people who do not live on the property or to anyone if it is not absolutely necessary.

• Know your neighbours and build a relationship of mutual trust and support.

When going away inform them.

• It is always best to arrange with persons living in the same street as you to be ready at all times to come to the rescue of one another in dangerous or suspicious times.

Exchange phone numbers or signalling methods when you find yourself in distress.

Your strength always lies in how many people are able to support you in an emergency.

• If you buy luxury goods, cut up the boxes and dispose of these in tied black bags — a branded box is a telltale sign of what robbers could find in your house.

• Keep cash and valuables in banks or safes.

• Store your firearms in a safe.

Stay safe at the ATM

• Be alert and conscious of your surroundings when using the ATM.

• Never give your card or pin number to anyone, for any reason.

• Don’t write your pin on the card or anything that is kept with the card.

• Do not insert your card until asked to do so by the display screen.

• Never use an ATM with a blank screen and, if the ATM is obscured from view or poorly lit, leave immediately and find another machine.

• Stand close to the ATM and use your body and hand as a shield, to make sure nobody sees you keying in your pin.

• Keep your hand over the card slot, to make sure nobody can swap or take your card.

Also read: ATM crime operation pays off

• Never accept help from strangers when using an ATM. You should be wary of strangers asking for help.

• Criminals work in teams — one to distract you, while the other steals your card or money.

• If your card is retained (swallowed) by the ATM, it is advisable to phone your bank immediately and stop your card.

• Never allow a bystander to call the bank on your behalf — they could be tricking you into thinking your card has been stopped.

• Guards are placed at ATMs to discourage criminals activities and cannot help you with transactions.

• If you need help, ask a bank official.

• It is advisable to set a daily ATM withdrawal limit at your branch.

• If you suspect you are being followed from the bank, drive to the nearest police station.

Have a story?

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Thelma Koorts  (editor) brakpanherald@caxton.co.za

or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za

 or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za

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