29 burglaries and 2 robberies reported every hour

RECENT statistics from Africacheck.org revealed some truly shocking figures about robberies and burglaries in South Africa. An average of 686 houses are burgled every day and an average of 57 are robbed. This amounts to a staggering quarter of a million burglaries (where victims aren’t confronted), and nearly 21 000 robberies (where victims are confronted) each year.

“The SAPS recorded a decrease of 1.2 per cent in house burglaries in the 2015/2016 financial year. However, we are urging people to be on guard and step-up security at their homes,” said Graham Craggs, spokesperson for Budget Insurance.

How to protect your house:

• Fit all access doors with security gates and install burglar bars on windows.
• Install electric perimeter fencing if it’s feasible – be sure to check for vulnerable points where objects like telephone posts or trees make it easy to jump the fence.
• When possible, mix up your daily routine to make it less predictable for criminals to know when you’ll be home.
• Cut away tree branches and remove objects like garden tools that could be used as leverage for getting into the house.
• Notify your security company when you won’t be at home for extended periods of time.
• Store irreplaceable, sentimental items in a safe that is firmly bolted to the wall or floor.
• Consider installing a good quality, HD CCTV system that covers all access points to your home – this not only serves as a deterrent, but could also help to put criminals behind bars.
• Be sure to verify the identity of, and do a basic reference check on any domestic workers, garden workers or contractors that you employ.