Spate of pedestrian muggings concerns Durban North SAPS
According to the station, more than five cases have been reported since the beginning of the year.
DURBAN North SAPS has warned pedestrians to be extremely vigilant and to try walking in groups when walking to and from work in the Durban North and uMhlanga areas. This comes after a spate of pedestrian muggings, three of which occurred on the same day confirmed station spokesman, Capt Raymond Deokaran.
“Three of the muggings occurred within hours of each other. In one of the incidents, a woman was accosted by a group of suspects armed with knives and a gun. They stole her handbag while she was walking on the M41 towards uMhlanga New Town just before lunchtime on Friday, two weeks ago.
“In total we’ve had more than five cases. In another incident, a victim was robbed of his cell phone while walking in the vicinity of Torsvale Crescent in the early hours of the morning. We view these incidents as too much of a coincidence for three to take place in one day. Even though no one was injured in any of the incidents reported, we will be planning operations targeting the crime hotspots,” he said.
Read also: Thieves target women’s handbags in north Durban
Two weeks ago, two sales representatives were targeted by armed suspects on Swapo Road (Broadway).
Deokaran urged residents to walk in groups wherever possible and to stick to well-lit and well populated areas.
“Muggers are far less likely to target people when there are others around or they are likely to be seen. In these cases sadly the suspects spotted an opportunity,” he explained.
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