Garsfontein police gave the following advice on how to avoid becoming the next victim of crime.
Theft out of, theft of and theft from a motor vehicle:
– Never leave any valuable items locked in your vehicle, especially in plain sight and never place any valuable items in your trunk while onlookers are around, rather do so where nobody can see.
– Ensure all doors are securely locked and windows are properly closed before you step away from your vehicle.
– Criminals use jamming devices to block the signal which locks your vehicle and activates the alarm system.
– Ensure the vehicles’ locking mechanism is activated by attempting to open a door before walking away.
– Make use of shopping malls which have proper access control, security guards on patrol and anti-jamming warning systems to warn the public when jamming of their remotes take place, as this will reduce the risk of your vehicle getting stolen or broken into.
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Smash and grab:
– Since incidents occur sporadic, making it difficult to predict when and where it will occur, it’s advisable to be alert when stationary at traffic lights / intersections at all times.
– Keep your vehicle’s doors locked for your own safety and those of your passengers.
– Preferably don’t drive with open windows, if you do, close them when you approach an unsafe or risky area.
– Fit smash and grab film to your vehicle’s windows – this will make it more difficult to break.
– Never place valuable items such as a handbag, wallet, laptop, and cellphone on the passenger seat next to or behind you. Doing so, will surely attract criminals.
– Make use of a hands-free kit when you use your cellphone, never holding it to your ear for criminals to see. They will surely make use of the opportunity when doing so.
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– Ensure your hands-free kit is installed in a strategic place which makes it difficult for criminals to reach your cellphone.
– Minimise travelling alone after dark and especially late at night.
– If you must, use roads that are well lit and carry a lot of traffic or travel in a group whenever possible.
“Remember safety comes first, if you do become a victim to a smash and grab incident, don’t get out to assess the situation or damage to your vehicle, especially when you are travelling alone at night in an unsafe or risky area,” said Warrant-Officer Michael Nel.
“Instead, drive to the nearest police station or nearest safe place like a filling station before doing so.”
Communities are urged to report any suspicious persons, vehicles or circumstances to the police immediately by phoning the 10111 emergency number.
Assist the Gauteng police to fight fraud, corruption, unethical behaviour or any other suspicious activities that could be detrimental to our success by phoning the Gauteng Standby Provincial Duty numbers: Duty General 082-313-8299, Duty Brigadier 082-444-4354.
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