In most of the Roodepoort Police precinct’s house robbery cases the elderly are the targets, says police spokesperson Nonhlanhla Kumahlo.
Kumahlo has the following advice for senior citizens and their families.
• If possible do not allow your elderly family to live alone. The criminals know that they are alone and that they are soft targets.
• Keep your gates and doors locked at all time and be vigilant when going out.
• Close your windows properly when they do not need to be open.
• Keep your outside lights on at night.
• Do not open the door for street vendors or strangers.
• Change your routines and movements regularly as this will prevent criminals from studying your tendencies.
• Install alarm aligned beams that detect movement when the premises is entered.
• Keep important telephone numbers such as those of close-by relatives and the police at hand and on your cellphone.