A MALVERN home was invaded recently by a group of men armed with crowbars who gained access to the home by breaking down the kitchen door.
Malvern SAPS communications officer, Warrant officer Radhika Marimuthu, said the suspects assaulted the homeowner and demanded to know where the safe was, then fled with household items.
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In another incident, a homeowner had left the door slightly open while he left to go the store. “The suspects, in possession of an ax,e walked into the property surprising the wife and child. The house was ransacked and money as well as household items were stolen,” added W/O Marimuthu.
W/O Marimuthuhas’s safety tips
- Avoid tall trees and shrubbery around the borders and entrances of your home.
- Avoid chaining dogs if your property is fenced and the walls are high
- If occupants of a property are in a secluded part of the house away from the doors and gates, keep these doors and gates locked and shut
- CCTV cameras around your property and at the entrances are a wise option if affordable
- Change your travel routes to and from home.
- Always check the driveway and surroundings of your home before driving in. If suspicious vehicles or persons are spotted, drive on, if possible to the nearest police station .
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- Activate house alarms before leaving and at night .
- Always close all windows and lock all doors.
- When going away, ask a neighbour or friend to switch lights of and on and pick up mail.
- Do not leave an ‘away on vacation message’ on your answering service.
- Don’t leave keys hanging on your doors or on hooks where they can be fished out easily.
- Never leave tools lying around your garden as these can be used as weapons or to break in.
- Pay attention to barking dogs as they can make you aware of a crime in progress.
- Always keep your remote panic button close to you at all times so you can alert your security company easily in the event of danger
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