*A previous version of this story said that these incidents took place in Sunninghill. In fact, the intersection concerned is in Paulshof. Fourways Review apologises for this error.
A local security company is doing its part to protect motorists from smash-and-grab incidents in Paulshof.
Although the overall rate of theft out of, or from, motor vehicles in Gauteng has gone down by 7,5 per cent, according to the most recent crime statistics released in parliament last year, there was still a total of 45 266 such incidents reported in Gauteng between April 2016 and March 2017. Of these, 5 586 were reported to the Sandton police.
One particular hotspot for this sort of crime, where criminals smash a car window, quickly grab valuables, such as phones or handbags from inside the car and then flee, is at the intersection of Witkoppen and Cambridge roads in Paulshof.
Perhaps the most famous example occurred in 2015 when a dash cam video uploaded onto YouTube went viral after capturing one such incident in the area when a white Land Rover Discovery was targeted in an incident that lasted a total of 49 seconds. The threat to motorists is constant though, as congestion on the road means cars are an easy target.
“7 Arrows did have a guard [at that intersection previously], but we moved him as the activity there was scarce,” explained Elyse Golovey, the marketing and helpdesk manager for the security company.
“But following an increase in activity, we have placed an officer back there.”
The preventative measure came into effect on 15 May. Members of the 7Arrow Security team will be stationed in the area daily, both on foot and in a patrol car, which will stay parked near the intersection, as a crime prevention measure.
“We’d also urge residents that distraction is at your own detriment. Do not let your cell phone distract you and let someone take advantage of you.
Captain Granville Meyer of the Sandton police said that no incidents had been reported to the station recently.
Details: www.7arrows.co.za
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Smash-and-grab attempt convict walks away with a suspended sentence
