Be careful where you park your car
Police warn theft of motor vehicles is on the increase.
The holidays usually see a spike in crime and Brakpan police have already noted an increase in the theft of motor vehicles.
According to local SAPS, car thieves have been especially active in the vicinity of the Far East Rand Hospital.
Several cars have recently been stolen from outside the hospital’s premises.
This stretch of Hospital Road is always bustling with activity and it is believed the thieves are taking advantage of cars being parked there for prolonged periods.
On December 1, a white Nissan 1400 was stolen outside the hospital. A man who went to collect his medication at around 10:00 returned to where he had parked his vehicle to discover it was no longer there.
The following afternoon, a white Toyota Camry was stolen. The vehicle’s owner had been at the hospital visiting a relative.
Safety tips for when parking your vehicle:
• Avoid parking your motor vehicle where no security officers guard other cars.
• Do not leave your firearm in the motor vehicle’s glove compartment (cubbyhole) or anywhere in the car when you park the vehicle. This is against the law.
• Make sure that all the doors and windows are properly locked when you park your car.
• At night, park in well-lit areas.
• If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice.
• Do not leave your goods/valuable items visible in the car.
• Do not leave your keys in the ignition.
• Remove detachable radios and the radio’s face when getting out of the car.
• Try to fit an alarm and/or anti-theft device in your car.
• Have your keys ready in your hand as you approach your car, especially if they are difficult to find in your handbag.
• Parking lots with a parking attendant or supervision/someone patrolling is best, otherwise try to park in locations that are well-lit and/or well-populated and not crowded by bushes or buildings where offenders might hide.
Tips: www.saps.gov.za
