Bluff police wind down Women’s Month with public safety campaign

PARTNERING with Hillside Mall, Brighton Beach SAPS distributed 1,500 safety guides to women to help equip them with life-saving information.

Safety tips include General public safety, personal safety, the prevention of theft by snatching or pick-pocketing, ATM safety, the prevention of hijacking, safety with children at shopping malls/public spaces and safety with children when swimming.
Personal safety tips: 
1. Criminals work in teams and you could find a woman claiming to be a victim of a crime or who needs help is used to draw you in. “The woman may ask you to accompany her to help with an injured older person or child. Rather stay in the open, don’t move in the direction requested. Offer to make a call to the police or an ambulance,” said Brighton Beach SAPS spokesman, Capt Louise Le Roux.

Should you hear a baby cry in a dark corner of a parking area, rather call mall security.

Do not investigate by yourself. Should you hear a cry in a nearby bush, call the police.

2. Do not wind down your window to give donations to beggars or assist someone asking for directions. Also do not wear expensive jewellery, as this will attract criminals to you. Carry only the necessary articles in your handbag. A bulky handbag attracts attention. Your elbow is the strongest point in your body, so use it to fight off an attack.

3. Carry a whistle and ensure you have easy access to it. Remember short blows attract attention. “Use your voice, it’s an excellent alarm system, scream. Even wave your hands in the air to attract attention to yourself,” she added.

4. When you are out jogging, focus on your surroundings, do not listen to music using earphones. Have a jogging buddy if possible, and avoid jogging after dark or before sunrise. Do not walk/jog or drive while texting or talking on your mobile phone. Always take the elevator instead of stairs, especially at night. Do not give a lift to a hitchhiker, even if it is a woman.

5. Ensure you have a torch in your vehicle should you be stranded at night. Ensure your mobile phone is always fully charged. If possible have a tracker system installed in your vehicle; it can help the police and tracking company to trace you if you are hijacked. Do not drive while under influence, it is a crime to do so and also makes you’re more vulnerable to being hijacked.

“Through partnership policing initiative we strive to create a safer environment for community members and visitors to our policing area,” said Capt Le Roux.

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