Parents encouraged to be vigilant with children this festive season
Following a kidnapping in Clairwood, the spokesperson for Brighton Beach police, Captain Louise le Roux, cautions parents about their children's safety in crowded spaces.
AS the festive season approaches, police warn the public of the possible spike in crime.
These are the interventions of the Brighton Beach police who said the coastline area remains the favourite destination for holidaymakers.
According to the spokesperson, Captain Louise le Roux, public spaces including malls may experience an influx of locals and visitors.
She said this is also the time when those with criminal intentions migrate to holiday destinations for the festive season.
“The laidback behaviour of some parents during this time makes their children vulnerable to falling prey to those with criminal intentions when occupying public spaces.
“Do not leave babies or young children unattended or under the supervision of a minor child (under 16-years-old) in the car.
“When leaving your child in a motor vehicle under supervision, ensure that the vehicle keys are kept with the driver.
“Ensure that there is sufficient ventilation for the occupant of the car, yet the windows must not be rolled down halfway.
“The children must be conditioned not to talk to strangers or even open any vehicle doors in the absence of an adult,” she said.
The following guidelines are provided to minimise the risk of children falling prey to criminals lurking around in public spaces:
- Do not let your child stray from you inside the mall or even in a shop. Your child can be snatched from you in less than 20 seconds.
- Make a wrist band for your child which reflects your contact number only, this can be used if your child has strayed from you to reach you when they are found by another person.
- Mothers with babies or toddlers in strollers must ensure that the stroller is always close to their bodies. When purchasing items, the child should face you, even if you are just browsing through items. Do not let the toddler sit in a shopping trolley either, unless they are visible to you all the time, do not leave your child’s side.
- Do not accept gifts or sweets from strangers for your child.
- Do not be distracted by a stranger starting up a conversation, even if it is a woman. Criminals work in pairs, one distracts you and the other snatches your child.
- Ensure that you have a current photo of your child, this will help the police in the search for your child should they be abducted.
- Make a mental note of the clothing your child or children are wearing. This will help the security at the mall to announce lost children, security and shoppers can also assist in the search and be on the lookout for them. This will also assist the police to search for your child if they are abducted.
- Children must not be allowed to visit public toilets without adult supervision or without the assistance of a person under the age of 16 years. Also, the person accompanying the child should enter the public toilet facility and not stand outside the entrance to such facility. The responsible person should stand outside the toilet door from the moment the child enters the toilet cubicle until they exit.
- Take extra caution at escalators with toddlers, watch for loose shoelaces. Every escalator has an emergency stop button on the top and bottom, press this in case of an emergency. Use a lift instead of an escalator when you are shopping with a stroller.
