A recent wave of residential robberies have rocked Endumeni. As a result one needs to be vigilant and alert at all times.
Below are handy facts from an extract on residential robbery research. Communications Officer, Captain Mbense urged the public, ‘to read these facts and take note as they can save lives and loss of property. The findings are as follows:
*97 percent of all robbers are armed.
*An average of 30 percent of all house robbers have either committed murder or won’t hesitate to commit murder.
*The average age of a robber is between 19 and 26.
*Of all arrested robbers, 90 percent had no matric or were unemployed.
*The conviction rate for house robberies in South Africa is 7.67 percent as compared to 53 percent in the United States.
*Only 17 percent of house robbers are foreigners.
*Most attacks occur between 7pm and midnight.
*Women are often hurt or tortured during robberies. Another important fact to note is that robbers are NOT deterred by alarms and armed reaction services.
Robbers are, however, deterred by:
*Electric Fences;
*Detection beams;
*CCTV; and
*Dogs.
Captain Mbense further urged the public to exercise the following safety measures:
*Make sure all shrubs and trees are trimmed back thus preventing robbers from concealing themselves.
*Do not stop safety awareness at the outside walls of your house. Your yard needs attention too. Do not leave ladders, stackable boxes or garden tools outside. Many burglars have used the owners own tools to get into the house.
* A barking dog might be handy.
*Changing your daily routine is a must.
*The presence of CCTV’s could make your house less attractive to burglars.