Randburg police officers have identified several hotspots where smash-and-grab incidents occur frequently and handed out pamphlets on the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Republic Road on 15 September to make motorists aware of them.
Spokesperson for Randburg Police Station, Captain Makgowanyana Maja, said that smash-and-grabs occurred frequently in Randburg and police officers had identified several hotspots. “Several smash-and-grab hotspots have been identified and they are William Nicol Drive and the N1 on- and off-ramp; Malibongwe Drive and the on- and off-ramp; as well as the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Republic Road,” Maja said.
He pointed out that smash-and-grab incidents usually took place during peak-hour traffic and pleaded with motorists to be alert at all times when driving. “A smash-and-grab incident turns a pleasant drive into a nightmare when criminals pounce on unsuspecting drivers. These incidences can be expensive from the cost of repairs to the vehicle window to replacing the stolen items.”
He added that criminals were usually after valuable items such as handbags, laptops, shopping bags, gym bags and cellphones.
He gave the following tips:
- Â Lock all doors of your vehicle and keep windows fully closed.
- Â Avoid getting into discussions with street vendors.
- Â Constantly be aware of your surroundings.
- Â Be aware of people at an intersection.
- Â Don’t leave handbags, cellphones and other valuable items on the front seat or on the floor where they will be clearly visible to the criminals.
- Â Report any suspicious behaviour or people to the police.
Details: Randburg Police Station 011 449 9112.
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