Driveway and house robberies have spiked in Honeydew Sector 1 since the general elections, with house robberies triple the rate they were before 7 May.
This was made public at Honeydew Sector 1 Community Policing Forum meeting at The Barn Christian Fellowship, Boskruin, on 9 June, where the sector’s CPF, security companies, residents’ associations and general public discussed crime in the area and the ways it can be challenged.
This was after not a single crime incident was reported in the sector during the day of the election on 7 May.
According to the forum’s chairperson Greg Pearce, a group of four men is likely responsible for most of the recent driveway and house robberies. Three of the men are allegedly young and wield handguns, and the fourth is older, taller and unarmed. They were known to drive a silver Mercedes-Benz in the past, but might now be operating in a silver BMW with the number plate YFT 645 GP. The group approach residents in their driveways and ask if anyone is home: if so, they only rob people in the driveway, if not, they rob the house too.
Pearce advised residents to drive out of the driveway forward, and when entering the driveway, stop parallel to the gate and open it before driving in.
He urged residents to be more alert during these times.
Bromhof Ext 23 and Randpark Ridge Ext 6 – neighbouring areas together comprising only 85 houses – reported eight incidents in the last three weeks, including two break-ins and an armed robbery.
According to resident Julia Evans, for the last 11 years there has never been as much crime in these areas as now.
Also discussed were drugs and muggings in Golden Harvest Park, businesses making noise at night and the belief that only one Honeydew police vehicle was patrolling the sector at night.
Theft out of motor vehicles have also risen.
Areas in Honeydew Sector 1 include Boskruin, Bromhof, Bush Hill Estate Agricultural Holdings (AH), Glen Dayson AH, Hunter’s Hill AH, Kelly Ridge, Northhgate, North Riding AH, Northwold, Randpark Ridge, Sonneglans, Strijdom Park and Sundowner.
