Brixton Police’s Social Crime Prevention Unit together with other stakeholders conducted a crime awareness campaign on March 15 at the University of Johannesburg campus.
According to station spokesperson Jeanette Backhoff, students have been flocking to the station to report a range of crimes that could have been prevented if general safety measures were known and followed. Backhoff said, “SAPS members had one on one talks with the students and handed out pamphlets with safety tips and emergency numbers addressing crimes that affect them the most such as house robberies, common robbery, theft of and out of motor vehicles as well as human trafficking.” These crimes have been taking place across Brixton, Auckland Park, Melville, Crosby, Hursthill and surrounding areas.
In some house robbery cases, criminals were gaining easy access to student accommodation as some left their gates and doors open, she added. Criminals steal laptops, cellphones, jewellery and other valuables. The experience could be a traumatic one for those who were at home during a robbery and were tied up while watching their belongings being taken from them.
Although police committed themselves to increase awareness and visibility, they needed the assistance of students to make a lasting change.
“Criminals take advantage and spot opportunities very quickly and that is why so many students fall victim to crime. Our students need to be safe and protected from all criminal activities but we as members of SAPS need their help by putting their own safety first and by protecting their personal belongings by properly safeguarding it and not advertising it to criminals.”
Related Article:
Police arrest three after shoot-out
