According to Jean Berdou, Douglasdale Community Policing Forum chairperson, theft out of motor vehicles has become a crime trend in Fourways and the rest of Johannesburg’s northern suburbs.
Berdou said theft out of motor vehicles was seen by criminals as a low risk crime. He explained that the police and the forum have seen a 40 percent increase in theft out of motor vehicles in the Fourways precinct of late. Berdou warned that motorists should keep valuables out of sight and be wary of hawkers who approach their car windows, as they are thought to be selling information about valuables visible inside vehicles as well as details as to when those cars frequent particular intersections, to criminals.
To combat the issue of theft out of motor vehicles at shopping centre car parks, Berdou said the forum and police have started conducting random searches at Fourways shopping centres. This involves cordoning off the parking area and searches are done for suspicious people, and the public is informed about safety measures and crime awareness.
Berdou said since the searches have been conducted there have been zero theft out of motor vehicle incidents reported at the specific shopping centres. However, Berdou wished to inform the community that it was also their responsibility to make sure that their cars were locked and no items were left visible when they leave their vehicles unattended. He mentioned that residents should also be aware and report suspicious behaviour in parking lots. “By making it profitable for criminals to operate in our area, you make it more likely for crime to happen,” he said.
