An increase in the number of car hijackings reported from the area of Riverlea

During the month of July, the community group chats of residents from Riverlea have been filled with crime reports. These crime reports ranged from house robbery, suspicious characters in people’s yards, people being robbed of the cell phones while walking and hijacking.

With many residents wanting to have meetings to discuss the high crime rate and find solutions to it, the Langlaagte police is also working on a plan to fight these crimes.

On July 18, Constable Phumi Kraai from the Langlaagte police station released a statement regarding the hijackings in the area.

Kraai said: “Langlaagte police confirms that there has been an increase in the number of car hijackings reported from the area of Riverlea, therefore, the Langlaagte police has mobilised the police crime intelligence unit to assist with gathering information about the car hijackings around the area while the social crime prevention unit is also busy with awareness campaigns that are being planned for next week of July 26 to raise awareness on crime around the Langlaagte area.”

According to the report, the crime prevention unit has also been posted to intensify the patrols around the whole of Riverlea and there will also be on going joint disruptive operations.

[also read] – Two suspects detained for attempted murder

On the Arrive Alive website, these are following guidelines to prevent hijacking for when you approaching and entering your driveway:
1. 2km from your house strategy. Be extra alert. Switch off the car radio and concentrate on your surroundings. If you have noticed any vehicle behind you, use the techniques you have learned during the hijack prevention & survival course to determine whether you are being followed.
2. Remember to stop your vehicle just on the inside of the gate and select reverse whilst waiting for the gate to close. This creates confusion and may buy you a few seconds for the gate to close completely behind you.
3. Check your driveway and street before you leave or enter your premises.
4. Make sure your driveway is well lit and clear from shrubbery where perpetrators can hide.
5. Be aware of unknown pedestrians close to your residential address – do not turn into your driveway – pass and go back later.
6. Liaise with your neighbours – know them.
7. Be aware of vehicles parked close to your address with occupants inside. It might be perpetrators observing the area.
8. Be alert if your animals do not greet you at the gate as usual. It might be that the perpetrators over-powered them.
9. Phone your home and ask for someone to make sure your driveway is safe and to open and close the gate for you.
10. When returning home after dark, ensure that an outside light is on, or have someone meet you at the gate. Check with your armed response company if they are rendering rendezvous services.
11. If at any time you have to open the gate yourself, make sure nobody suspicious around and the road is clear. Stop right in front of your gate. Do not switch off the vehicle, leave the key in the ignition, get out and close the door (not creating temptation). Then open the gate. Drive in and close the gate immediately behind you.
12. If you have small children in the vehicle, take the key with you (this is the only exception). You need the key as a “negotiating tool”. The perpetrators want your vehicle and you want your children.
13. If your children are older, it is advised that they exit the vehicle with you when opening the gate so that you are all separated from the vehicle should an attack occur. (Guidelines found on the website: www.arrivealive.mobi/hijack-prevention-guidelines).

The Langlaagte police is appealing to the community to please join hands with the police in the fight against crime in terms of joining the Community Policing Forum (CPF) and by also reporting criminal activities to the police or even contact Crime Stop and share information by contacting the Langlaagte police Vispol Head Captain Mampa on 011 473 6200 or 10111.