‘Please don’t prank call 10111’
MIDRAND - With June as Child Protection Month, South African Police Service front-liners who are committed to every citizen’s safety as a core function, say safety tips for children must take centre stage.
This according to Gauteng 10111 media liaison officer Captain Pinky Tsinyane. Gauteng 10111’s offices are based in Midrand.
Safety tips for children include how to stay safe when at home, away from home, at school and in shopping malls. The importance of 10111 and emergency numbers are also emphasised. However, calling the number in non-emergencies is an problematic.
“We have noted a lot of abusive, hoax and prank calls that are made by both children and adults. This type of behaviour is making it difficult to get help to the public who need police assistance urgently,” Tsinyane said.
“South African Police Services condemn those abusive, hoax and prank calls because they may even cost lives. When public members call the emergency number responsibly, lives will be saved, more crimes will be prevented and more suspects will be arrested.”
She said 10111 was available 24 hours a day, however she warned that children must take precautions and only report when they or someone they know are in danger, or if they witness a crime or suspicious activity.
“Our call-takers and dispatchers will ensure that your complaints are registered and dispatched,” Tsinyane said.
She offered tips on how to report crimes to the emergency service.
“Try to be calm, speak clearly and slowly [so] the telephone operator [can] assist you faster,” she said.”Give the telephone operator your contact number, full address where the incident is happening and the type of incident. If possible also provide the description of the nearest landmarks such as post office, shops or clinic.”
She also said if parents are around, they should call rather than the children, and she encouraged community members to know their police sector and number in order to get efficient police assistance.
She also warned that children should not walk around alone or speak to strangers.
“Children should always let someone know where they are going and how long will they be gone. Also they should think twice before advertising their impending absence on social media. Criminals also have access to Facebook and Twitter,” said Tsinyane.
