Despite attempts at tackling Melville and Mayfair’s theft out of motor vehicle problem, the Brixton Police Station now faces a new crime trend.
According to the Brixton police spokesperson, Jeanette Backhoff, the station has noticed a new trend of stealing mirrors from parked cars specifically in Melville, Mayfair and Mayfair West.
“For the past three months we had over 20 reported cases,” she said.
Of the reported cases, police noticed that the thefts took place between 4pm and 8pm during the week.
“Members of our community are requested not to park their vehicles on the street but in the yard and if possible where there are proper streetlights,” she said.
With regard to regular thefts out of motor vehicles, Backhoff said the most common items stolen include car radios, cellphones and laptops.
She urged motorists never to leave their valuables on their car seats, the floor or where anyone can see them. She further pleaded that motorists needed to ensure that their vehicles, windows and doors were properly closed and locked.
In a previous interview with the Northcliff Melville Times, Backhoff said high-risk streets in Melville included 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th streets.
She added that during crime operations in Melville, police officers often leave cards on cars as a warning to vehicle owners, where valuables are visible to passersby.
Backhoff said they have received mixed reactions to the cards.
“Sometimes people read them and think [about not leaving valuables in their cars], and sometimes we get called and asked why the police are putting cards on cars.”
She added that police are only trying to assist vehicle owners through putting the cards on their cars and said they should not be alarmed if they find a card on their car, warning them to put valuables away.
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