Be vigilant and avoid distractions, warns SAPS

BRIGHTON Beach SAPS recently held a foot beat operation following an increase in criminal activities in the Clairwood and Bluff areas. According to the police, these crimes are committed throughout the day and range from verbal threats to the producing of weapons to force individuals to hand over their belongings.

“A flyer campaign was held to address robbery prevention within our area. Educational flyers explaining the various categories of robbery and how to minimise the risk of falling prey were distributed at the two major malls within our policing area,” said Capt Louise Le Roux.

The following safety guidelines were compiled by the local SAPS:

• Pay attention to your surroundings and avoid distractions.
• Do not stop to interact with strangers on your route, even to give directions or to ask the time.
• Walk near the curb, on the side facing oncoming traffic. This decreases the risk of having your belongings snatched from behind, giving you a better angle to see into doorway alleys and a better path to escape if attacked.
• Avoid walking in the street while texting, talking on your phone, or listening to music through headphones or earpieces as it makes you a target.
• Adhere to the perpetrator’s demands or requests when confronted, avoid challenging them as they will not hesitate to hurt you to get what they want.
• Avoid using stairways with very little or no foot traffic at all, rather use a public road.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewellery as bling attracts criminals.
• Areas with little foot traffic are dangerous especially at night.
• Do not walk in the street while intoxicated.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash, rather use debit card facilities or make use of internet transfers (EFT).
• Avoid carrying paperwork that reveals your personal details.
• Plan the safest and quickest route prior to departure when visiting a new location.
• Avoid having identifying tags such as your physical address or mobile number attached to your house keys.
• If you predominantly travel by foot, attach a whistle to your handbag or belt to have easy access. Blow short, yet loud breaths through your whistle, this will serve as an alarm and attract attention towards yourself as a call for help.
• Always have a short peep over your shoulder, alternate just to make sure you are not being followed.

READ ALSO: Durban police issue warning against fraud scams

Good to know: legal terms

Robbery is the taking of another person’s property by force or threat of violence. It is a crime in which there is always a confrontation between the victim and the offender. Muggers try to frighten or intimidate their victims in order to gain physical and psychological control over them to take their belongings.

Common robbery is the use of violence or the threat of violence, either verbally or by means of actions, without a weapon, to gain control to a person’s property.

Aggravated robbery is the use of an object to threaten a person such as a brick, stick, broken bottle, knife or firearm that can cause injury or death to gain control over a person’s property.

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