POLOKWANE – A local security company’s records have also shown an increase in residential crime at this time of the year. Apcan Operation Manager, Henno Vogel said security is an issue over the festive season.
“We are community orientated which means people can contact us even if they are not our clients, and we will go and assist,” Henno says.
He says when a person’s life is in danger the law protects one if he or she has proof that they were going to lose their lives if they did not react in this or that manner.
Vogel adds that in an instance where the burglar is outside and your gates and doors are locked, shooting him is not an option.
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“When a person is in danger and someone breaks in, there is usually time to call someone. Either a neighbour, the CPF or even the police or security company,” he says.
Knowing who your neighbours are is just as important as joining a group such as the CPF to make sure that you are informed and known.
He urges people to report anything, even if they think that it might be something silly, to be sure that it is reported and noted down somewhere to help stop crime and inform the police and security companies. This will help them prepare when things do happen and provide additional information for patrols for instance.
Apcan works in conjunction with the CPF to ensure quick results. “We have found that in the past, break-ins increases over the festive season because during the year you may leave your home for a day or weekend but in the holiday it might be weeks on end. As a home owner I would urge people to not leave signs that you are away, let someone come by your house, turn on a few lights and remove things such as newspapers,” Henno added.
Television screens are not as commonly stolen as before because they have increased in size. It is therefore much easier to steal a laptop as this is easier to hide.
“Small valuable items do get stolen more often. Items that can be easily carried and sold quickly are usually the target and this includes cellular phones and jewellery,” he adds.
Prevention is key and this is why the company feels that people need to take precautions before something happens and not wait to react after the fact.
riana@nmgroup.co.za
