#WhatToDoWednesday: What to do in a mall robbery
Two recent major robberies have highlighted the importance of knowing what to do to stay safe in these instances.
Two serious robberies at two different businesses involving a total of 12 either armed or dangerous criminals have highlighted the importance of knowing what to do to stay safe in such an instance.
On Tuesday, 11 April six criminals targeted Markhams in Carletonville and on Thursday, 13 April six armed men robbed a luxury boutique, getting away with thousands of rands worth of stock at Hyde Park Corner.
In the second crime, bystanders at the scene said customers lay down on the floor when a gunshot rang out in the mall and waiters at a nearby restaurant dropped food as they fled for safety. Fortunately no one was injured during the heist. Robbers of this kind are generally armed, so if you are ever caught in the middle of a heist it is essential to stay calm.
Fidelity ADT advised his customers to always be on the lookout for any suspicious activities and be aware of the people around them. Stuart Clarkson, Managing Executive Fidelity ADT provided the following advice for people who find themselves caught in a mall robbery:
If you are in the store that is being robbed:
• Co-operate with the robbers for your own safety. Listen to their instructions closely and follow their instructions.
• Try to keep as calm as possible. Everyone reacts differently, but try to breathe deeply until help arrives.
• Do not use your cellphone while the robbery is in progress as this could agitate the assailants.
• Immediately try to find a sheltered spot and keep low on the ground.
• Take note of the assailants to pass information on to the authorities, i.e., what they were wearing, any distinctive clothes, markings, jewellery etc. Try to remember what they look like, i.e., height, weight, etc
• Ensure your children are kept close to you at all times. Do not let children wander off while you are shopping.
• Do not shop with large amounts of cash or valuables.
If you are not in the store being robbed:
• Get the store personnel to close the roller shutter doors. This is standard operating procedure in many malls. Move to the back of the store, out of sight.
• Try to enter the store closest to you and secure yourself as described above.
• Do not try to exit via the standard entry and exit points as these are the same points the robbers will be using. Many malls now have standard operating procedures to lock down the mall.
Clarkson says crime is becoming more sophisticated, with inside information playing an increasingly prominent role.
“Whether you were in the store being robbed, or just witnessed the incident in the Centre, you should seek counselling, regardless of how you might feel. It often takes some time to experience and deal with the post-traumatic stress that follows such robberies,” concluded Clarkson.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
