How to beat criminals

General manager of ADT inland region, Theunis Kotze said that most people still do not take the necessary precautions in situations or areas where the risk of being attacked by criminals is that much higher.

ADT identified these four places residents are most vulnerable:

• Driveways: 68 percent of hijackings take place in residential driveways, according to the National Hijack Prevention Academy, because the suburbs offer accessible escape routes for criminals. Kotze added that residents should stay in the street while waiting for the gate to open so that they could see what is happening up and down the street. This will leave an option to drive off should someone suspicious approach.

• Leaving the bank: Criminals have eyes everywhere and banks are a favourite hunting ground. They thrive on the fact that people are too busy going about their daily chores and routines to notice that they are being watched or followed home from the bank.

• Leaving a shopping centre: Residents should keep a look out for criminals when leaving shopping centres as they take note of what one is leaving with or carrying. A lot of these incidences lead to driveway robberies.

• Intersections after dark or early in the morning: These incidents usually occur near bridges when smash and grabs take place. While some attacks have proven to have more sinister motives than theft, most happen because they spot something worth grabbing in the car.

Read more:

ADT issues spring safety tips

Safety tips on how to avoid driveway robberies

Police tips on securing your home