‘Hammer gang’ target malls
Since December, Northglen News has reported on eight robberies of watch and jewellery shops in the area.
MALLS in and around Durban are being targeted by the ‘hammer gang’. Since December, Northglen News has reported on five watch stores robbed in the area. The incidents occurred at La Lucia Mall, Gateway and most recently The Crescent Shopping Mall which saw the gang make off with R400 000 in merchandise.
What’s more several jewellery stores have also been targeted by criminals, with The Pearls Mall being targeted in the most recent incidents. However, it’s not just the malls in North Durban that are being targeted, there have been incidents at Musgrave Centre, The Atrium, Southway Mall and The Galleria Mall to name a few.
Brian Jackson of Blue Security has urged shop owners and staff to be on high alert following the spate of burglaries in shopping malls in recent weeks.
“Most of the incidents reported to us occurred at night or in the early morning several hours before stores would be expected to open for business. Armed gangs smashed their way through the glass doors of stores using hammers in some cases before fleeing with goods ranging from alcohol, clothing, jewellery and electronic devices. It is unclear at this stage whether the incidents are linked to a single gang as police investigations are underway.”
“We urge retail chains, independent store owners and their staff to be vigilant and to ensure that business alarm systems are correctly activated and to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity when opening up and closing their shops. If you do not already have CCTV surveillance cameras installed in the shop, consider upgrading your security as the intelligence gathered via camera footage can go a long way to help the police and security companies investigate these crimes,” Jackson said.
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