Reduce your risk of becoming a crime victim

WITH criminals operating in areas without surveillance cameras or other security measures, Brighton Beach SAPS offers guidelines for residents to reduce their risk of being targeted.

“The South African Police Service does not have a mandate to force mall management, tenants, any business owner or private residence to put security features in place to minimise exposure to those with criminal intentions,” said Brighton Beach SAPS communications officer, Captain Louise Le Roux.

“Being observant of your surrounding at all times is of the utmost importance when visiting public places,” she added, with the following guidelines:

• Don’t walk with valuables in the back pocket of your pants or backpack.
• Don’t text or talk on your mobile phone when walking in public.
• Clutch your handbag under your arm with your hand, holding the handles firmly. Avoid shopping with clutch or long sling handbags.
• Ensure bag zips face oncoming ‘traffic’.
• Don’t leave your handbag unattended in trolleys while shopping.
• Carry only the necessary articles in your handbag, pouch or backpack.
• Don’t wear expensive jewellery, as it will attract criminals.
• Carry a whistle, pepper spray, stun baton or any other self-defence mechanism with you, as it can be used to scare off criminals and alert people around you, should you be attacked.
• Remove your motor vehicle keys from your handbag while inside the shopping centre – don’t do so en-route to your vehicle, as you expose yourself to becoming a target for hijacking.
• When you exit a shop, be observant of the people around you. If you suspect you are being followed, return to the shop and alert the security.
• When withdrawing cash from an ATM, use your body to prevent anyone from seeing you entering your PIN code. When money is received from the cash dispenser, immediately place it inside your wallet or handbag before leaving the cash hall. Also be vigilant of suspicious people who are standing around the cash hall, and report such to the security.
• Make a list of all your bank cards numbers and keep a certified copy of your passport, identification document and driver’s license in a safe place. If your wallet is stolen, it will help you to have reference numbers to stop your stolen cards, and help you to identify yourself. Obtain the afterhours contact numbers for lost or stolen ATM cards from your banking institute.
• When visiting the beach, take only the required amount of cash with you. Don’t take your handbag or wallet with you. Don’t wear jewellery to the beach. Take a plastic zip seal bag with you when visiting the beach – place your vehicle keys, cash and mobile phone inside and bury the bag in the sand when going swimming. Place an object over it as a beacon so you can trace it upon your return.