Heidelberg SAPS held a social crime prevention awareness campaign on November 10.
Part of the campaign was to educate the public on crime trends in preparation for the festive season and to be proactive.
The role players involved were Heidelberg SAPS, Siyabangena patrollers, CPF members, the social crime coordinator and the Victim Friendly Room coordinator.
Concerns addressed included fraud, shoplifting, online shopping pitfalls and hitchhiking.
“The event’s purpose was to raise awareness about crimes committed during the festive season,” said Heidelberg SAPS station commander Colonel Phiwe Ndwandwe.
“The SAPS wants to alert the community to be vigilant while shopping online and to make sure you make online purchases from a reliable source.
“The community must also be careful when driving and never pick up any hitchhikers,” said Ndwandwe.
He warned motorists of blue light hijackers, urging them to drive to their nearest police station if they suspect they are being stopped or pulled over by bogus police.
Ndwandwe added vehicles currently used in the commission of blue light hijackings included a white VW Polo, a black BMW, a white Ford Ranger and a white VW Amarok.
