BLUE Security noted a decrease in serious and violent crime in Durban since the lockdown but stated that housebreaking and trespassing have continued across several suburbs.
The company’s operations director, Brian Jackson, said the firm recorded a drop in business and residential armed robberies and that three serious and violent crimes were reported during the first seven days of the national lockdown.
“On an ordinary day before the outbreak of Covid-19 and the national lockdown, it was not unusual for our teams to respond to several serious and violent crimes such as business robberies and home invasions on a daily basis,” said Jackson.
In the first incident, on 29 March, a group of men, armed with hammers and knives, cut the razor wire fence of a business premises in New Germany.
The suspects threatened a staff member and robbed him of R800. No injuries were reported.
In another incident, a business manager was killed on 28 March. An armed man entered a business premises and shot the manager, who was seated in his vehicle.
The suspect fled on foot. Paramedics declared the manager dead at the scene. The motive for the killing is unknown. Montclair SAPS attended the scene of the crime.
ALSO READ: Wanted housebreaker nabbed in Westville
In the third incident, a robber, armed with a knife, held up a Kloof couple in their home at about 10pm on 29 March.
The suspect fled with valuables including cellphones, watches, jewellery, a knife and leather bag. No injuries were reported. Pinetown SAPS attended the scene of the crime.
Jackson added that the firm has received six call outs to cases of alleged domestic violence in the past week.
“It is of great concern to note the spike in reports of domestic disputes to our control centre during this time,” said Jackson.
He said that 25 business burglaries, 14 housebreakings and 14 trespassing incidents were reported during the period. Items reported stolen during the incidents ranged from cellphones and computers to clothing, tools and bicycles.
“These reported crimes represent an estimated at least 30 to 40 per cent drop in the number of incidents usually reported to us on any given week, indicating that criminals are taking less chances during the lockdown period. However, what’s clear is that criminals are not obeying the lockdown regulations and continue to prowl the streets,” Jackson said.
*Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
