PETTY thieves have capitalised on the recent spike in armed robberies by criminal gangs in the north Durban area. According to police the burglars are targeting homes during the day.
Capt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North SAPS, police had noticed an ‘increase’ in house robberies and break-ins.
He has appealed to residents to be extra vigilant.
“Your doors must be properly locked and your windows must be closed. It is also important that neighbours look out for others,” he said.
In the latest incidents, three homes were broken into within a space of five days.
Read also: Gang storms uMhlanga home in armed robbery
According to Marshall Security’s Kyle van Reenen, the incident occurred on Ellingham Drive (La Lucia), Lansdowne Crescent (Durban North) and Mopani Road (Glen Anil).
“In the La Lucia incident, the suspects broke into the Ellingham Drive home and managed to open the sliding door. They then ransacked a room downstairs and fled in an unknown direction taking a curved TV and clothing. In the incident in Mopani Road, Glen Anil, the suspects broke-in to a cottage by the gate with a spade before entering. They made off with a TV, a laptop, a PlayStation and a Samsung tablet,” he said.
The spike in crime has also alarmed Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley who said there had also been a number of armed robberies, most recently a home on Montague Drive on Monday.
“The police have noted an increase in property related crime over the past month. This period of the year generally sees a spike in crime in the lead up to the end of year. However house robberies in general have risen across the eThekwini which is being linked to a small number of syndicates operating across the city – the La Lucia area has been particularly hard hit,” he said.
Read also: Man dragged into bushes and robbed on M4 off-ramp
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