The majority of the business break-in cases across the entire Brighton Beach SAPS jurisdictional area are taking place at during and business owners are warned to take extra care with their security effort.
The police have shared guidelines to assist business owners to protect themselves from these criminal elements:
* Ensure the name of your business premises and building number is clearly visible, to ensure prompt response by police and your security company in the case of an emergency or for investigation purposes.
* Ensure your property has sufficient lighting after hours, especially at the corner points of fences.
* Install surveillance cameras, an alarm system with sensors and laser detection both inside and outer perimeters and inside the roof.
* Install a panic alarm system within the premises and at the security gate office.
* Lock all doors and windows when closing your premises at the end of the business day.
* Dogs are great early warnings systems. Ensure that a security dog is allowed to move freely on your premises after hours.
* Check any wire fencing on your property and ensure that damaged areas are repaired.
* Ensure foot patrols are conducted hourly by security guards.
* Inform personnel and security officials not to interfere with a crime scene, by disturbing any physical evidence, as this can hamper the SAPS investigation.
* When approached by a sales representative or technician from a security company who wishes to compile an assessment, ensure they identify themselves with their Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) card.
* Employ a security company which is PSIRA accredited.
Anonymously report those with criminal intentions to Crime Stop on 08600-10111, www.crimeline.co.za, or via SMS to 32211.
