With the high crime rate in South Africa, we have seen numerous robbery incidents. Cresta Shopping Centre suffered an armed robbery on 8 October where a security guard was shot and an electronics stored robbed of its goods.
Being caught up or being in the same vicinity of a robbery can be scary but knowing what to do in such an event could save your life.
Fidelity ADT national marketing and communications manager Charnel Hattingh said, “The golden rule if you ever are caught in the middle of a heist is to stay calm.”
When in the mall stay vigilant at all times, if you feel like something is amiss alert those around you. Fidelity ADT provided some useful tips.
If you are in a store where a robbery is taking place this is what you should do:
- Cooperate with the robbers, listen to the instructions and follow them
- Keep calm, breathe, help will arrive
- Avoid using your phone during the robbery, this could agitate the assailants
- Try and find a sheltered spot and keep low on the ground
- Take note of the assailants, what they are wearing, how they look, distinctive markings or accessories so the information can be passed on to authorities
- Make sure your children are close to you at all times, don’t let them wander around while you are shopping
- Do not shop with large amounts of cash or valuables on you.
If you are not in a store of the robbery, speak to store personnel to firstly close the roller shutter doors, Hattingh said, “This is standard operating procedures in many malls and move to the back of the store, out of sight.”
Lastly, try and not to exit the mall from the main entrance and exit points as these are the points the robbers will be exiting. Seek counselling regardless of how you feel as witnessing such incidents can be quite traumatic, she added.
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UPDATE: One suspect fatally wounded following robbery at Cresta Shopping Centre
