Festive season brings slight increase in burglaries

Despite the joy that the festive season provided, the most recent crime figures show that some families had to cope with the traumatic consequences of a home invasion as the Newcastle SAPS reported slight increase in burglaries both before and during the holidays.

Lizzy Arumungam, Newcastle SAPS communications spokesperson, said the hot spot areas for home invasions/burglaries were Lennoxton, Arbor Park and Ncandu Park.

Empty homes become easy targets during the holidays as families travel to visit relatives or go on vacation. Burglars are well aware of this, making burglaries more prevalent during the festive season.

Residents are reminded to constantly take measures and be alert in all of their surroundings, even after the holiday season has passed.

Tips from the SAPS for home invasions/house burglaries

• Know all emergency numbers.
• Keep your cell phone in the bedroom.
• Never leave keys in a gate or a lock.
• The locks on outside doors should be changed when you move into a new home or after keys have been lost or stolen
• Make provision for good outside lighting. Remember; outside lights that are on during the day draw attention to thieves.
• Mail left in the gate is also a sign that nobody is home. Get a friend or a neighbour to keep a regular eye on your property and to remove mail and newspapers.
• Curtains should be closed after dark to prevent suspects from observing that activities inside that home.
• Conduct thorough background checks before employing anyone (permanent or casual workers).
• Never leave casual workers unattended in your home.
• Don’t leave your garage, front door or bask door open or partially open- it serves as an invitation to burglars.
• Avoid opening doors automatically just because someone knocks. Unsuspecting domestic workers, garden staff and children are often approached by robbers pretending to be telephone repairman, municipal inspectors and many other professions.
• Robbers have occasionally been known to impersonate law enforcement officers.

You can identify a police member in the following way: Members must carry an identification card stating the members name, rank, service number and photograph. If in uniform, the member will wear a nameplate with the police star on the badge, as well as epaulettes indicating rank. You may request police officers in plain clothes to identify themselves with identification cards (known as appointment certificates in the SAPS)

• A watchdog is a good early warning system. Keep it visible as a deterrent but beyond the reach of strangers.
• Keep a fully charged torch available at night and have your cell phone on hand. Save all emergency numbers and that of your phone.
• If your alarm goes off, you hear odd noises, or your dog barks, turn on the outdoor lights and cautiously investigate. Go outside only when you are certain it is safe to do so. Press the panic button immediately.
• Install security gates on doors leading directly from inside your house to your garage.
• Make sure it’s safe to enter and that you haven’t been followed when you approach your home’s entry, whether on foot or by vehicle. Watch out for people hanging at the door, cars stopping as you slow down, and any strange activity going on at your house.
• Keep your entrance clear of plants or obstacles that can provide a hiding place for would-be robbers that could surprise you when you enter or leave.
• Always keep your keys safe to prevent them from being duplicated. Never leave your house keys under a door mat or in a pot. Once you have locked your door from the inside, remove the key from the keyhole and place it in a safe place, where it cannot be reached from a window.
• Be cautious while taking out garbage at night or feeding the dog. Make sure that another member of the household inside the home keeps you on sight until you are safely back in the home.
• Know your neighbours and build a relationship of mutual trust and support. When going away on holiday inform them, or arrange for them to watch your house and to take notice any unusual activity.
• Limit access to personal information, your movements and what is inside your house.

IF YOUR HOUSE HAS BEEN BROKEN INTO

• Contact your nearest police station immediately.
• Wait until fingerprints and statements are taken before touching anything.
• Do not allow private security companies to enter the house or touch anything before the police have investigated the scene, unless it is absolutely necessary
• Look out for strange footprints in the garden and point them to the police.

A list of the make, model and serial numbers of electrical appliances and other valuable equipment should always be available for investigation purposes.

The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550).