An unacceptably high spike in crime in a number of East Rand suburbs over the last 48 hours is raising red flags across the region.
Milly Barnard, Fidelity ADT community development manager, said there has been an unacceptably high number of incidents in Germiston, Boksburg, Benoni, Brakpan and Springs recently.
Barnard said house robberies, hijackings, vehicle theft and cable theft have escalated dramatically.
Fidelity is working closely with the SAPS and community policing forums in these areas to stem the increasing flow of crime.
“There has been a noticeable increase in the number of crimes since the economy opened up in Level 3,” said Barnard.
“All residents and businesses in the area are advised to review their security measures and not to be complacent in light of the current increase.”
She emphasised that with more people going back to work and businesses reopening it is an opportunity for criminals to blend in more and have broader opportunities to commit crime.
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“In the house break-in incidents in Germiston for example the perpetrators were wearing masks which makes it difficult to identify them on camera.
“One was even wearing a school blazer.
“We are also seeing a growing problem with cable theft.
“This is placing our power supply under huge pressure due to illegal connections and cable theft resulting in phases being burnt out.
“Fuses from external mini substations are also being vandalised as the white powder contained in the fuses is used for drugs,” she said.
The economic impact of lockdown is a definite driver for crime.
“Everyone has been impacted by the economic effect of Covid-19 and many may turn to crime to survive, which means even more criminals on the street.
“On the other hand, we fear that many home and business owners may be thinking about cutting or downgrading their security systems and contracts with service providers as a means to survive financially,” Barnard said.
“This is not the time to leave your family vulnerable with an inadequate security system or security provider.
“There is no doubt that crime is picking up.
“Lockdown is a different way of life, but some things should not change, like the protection of your family and property 24 hours a day with the backup of a proper security system linked to a reliable, accredited security service provider,” Barnard said.
Red flags to note on the East Rand:
Germiston: Dog poisoning, house robbery, hijacking and cable theft.
Boksburg: ATM card scamming at shopping centre’s, hijacking particularly in Villa Lisa and Dawn Park areas, cable theft resulting in power failures, house robbery and theft from motor vehicles.
Benoni: House and business robbery, specifically in Rynfield, Westdene and Benoni CBD, hijacking in Benoni Agricultural Holdings near the cemetery, and Prasa cable theft.
Springs: Rape and murder in Daggafontein and Selcourt, house and motor vehicle robbery across the precinct, gate motor theft.
Brakpan: Car theft from houses and shopping centre’s in Leachville, Brakpan CBD and Dalpark, business robberies in Vulcania and Brakpan CBD, courier company vehicle hijackings.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.
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