These crimes are not isolated to a specific time, or place, but happen day or night; in residential areas; at shopping malls and business areas.
People are asked to remove all valuables including small change, sunglasses, identification documents and house keys from plain sight. “Bank statements with physical addresses are left in the consoles of vehicles, thus exposing residential addresses and laptops are still being left on back seats,” said Brighton Beach SAP communications officer, Captain Louise Le Roux.
During police patrols, vehicles are often found with windows partially or fully open; doors are left unlocked; and gear locks lying on the ground. She urges people to park vehicles within a yard where there is sufficient parking and to avoid verges, where possible.