THE attempted abduction of a Merebank teenager has sparked concern among community leaders in the area, who are urging youth to be more aware of their surroundings.
The incident, which happened on January 10 in Chenab Road, was brought to the attention of residents by members of a local security company, who responded to the distress call when a shop owner contacted them after the girl escaped and ran into the shop.
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PT Alarms and Security spokesperson, Dhevan Govindsamy, said the teenager was walking along Chenab Road when occupants of a white minibus taxi tried to kidnap her.
“The girl quickly ran to a local supermarket for safety and protection. The shop owner contacted the PT Alarms Tactical Unit and when officers responded, they found teenager was visibly traumatised. A search was conducted, but there was no sign of the perpetrators,” added Govindsamy.
Community leader, Sharen Rajmin, said the area needs to be rid of the vagrants and beggars who make it difficult to determine who is a threat, and who is not.
“Not everyone has their own transport and we are forced to walk to the shop and to the bus stop. It is sad that we are not safe in our own community, but we are fortunate to have several security companies patrolling the area to ensure that incidents such as these are minimised. Unfortunately, we have become soft targets for crime, and carjacking, home invasions and robbery is becoming a norm in our area.
“Schools will be opening next week and it is scary as we will have many of our children on the road, walking to and from school. My appeal is that the youth become proactive and more vigilant. They should not have their head phones on and listen to music as they walk along the road, oblivious to their surroundings. This distracts them from noticing any danger or imminent threat,” said Rajmin.
Govindsamy said PT Alarms and Security urges residents, especially females, both young and old, to be alert and refrain from walking alone.
“There is safety in numbers. Inform family members or neighbours when you are departing and provide them with a destination. Providing information about your whereabouts is a means of enabling family and friends to check on the safety and well-being of an individual. Adults should not allow young children to wander alone in the yard or on the streets. Children must be supervised at all times. Street patrollers and residents must take note of suspicious people and unknown vehicles lurking in the area and immediately inform their security service provider and the police, so that patrols can be conducted,” added Govindsamy.
Communications officer of the Wentworth police station, Captain Mbuso Gumede, said no case involving an attempted kidnapping was registered and urged residents to report all crimes.
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