Smash-and-grabs are said to be rife at Queens Road in Parktown and university students from Park Mews Student Accommodation are often the targets.
The perpetrators escape into Pieter Roos Park at the corner of St Andrews and Queens roads after stealing possessions from passers-by.
Manager at Park Mews, Barry Amler, reached out to Rosebank Killarney Gazette to raise the issue and notify the community to be extra careful whenever they are around the area. “We have experienced very bad muggings. This year has been particularly bad. In fact, in the past month and a half, the crime here has gotten out of control. I have approached the Hillbrow police but to no avail.”
The park is surrounded by large trees with low-hanging branches providing criminals with an easy hiding spot.
Hillbrow police spokesperson Sergeant Mduduzi Zondo said the park is one of the places that is closely monitored by the police station. “We always patrol that park on a daily basis. Even the section manager from our station goes every day because we know such places can become problematic. If the students get mugged, they should go to the police station to open a case.”
Have you had a bad experience in this specific area? Let us know on koketsor@caxton.co.za
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