Dealing with a mall robbery

Some visitors to the new Springs Mall on opening day got more than they bargained for when robbers attempted to enter the centre mid-morning on Macrh 16.

Although shots were fired, the majority of shoppers in the mall were unaware of the commotion, with three people sustaining serious injuries.

Springs police spokesman, Capt Johannes Ramphora, says people should be extremely careful at malls.

“We urge the community to be vigilant and not to walk around with large amounts of cash,” he says.

It is wise for customers to always be on the lookout for any suspicious activities and be aware of the people around them.

In a press release received from a local security company in November, general manager Theunis Kotze, offered a few tips on what to do when caught in a mall robbery.

When in a store:

• Co-operate with the robbers, listen and follow their instructions.
• Try and keep as calm as possible. Everyone reacts in a different way but try and breathe deeply until help arrives.
• Don’t use a cellphone whilst the robbery is in process, as this could agitate the assailants.
• Immediately try and find a sheltered spot and keep low on the ground.
• n Take note of the assailants to pass information on to the authorities such as what they were wearing, any distinctive clothes, markings and jewellery. Try and remember what they look like as far as height, weight and other features are concerned.
• Ensure your children are kept close to you at all times. Don’t let children wander off while shopping.
• Don’t shop with large amounts of cash or valuables.

When not in a store:

• peak with the store personnel to firstly close the roller shutter doors. This is also the standard operating procedure in many malls.
• Move to the back of the store, out of sight.
• Try and find a store closest to you and secure yourself as described above.
• Don’t try and exit via the standard entry and exit points as these are the same points the robbers will be using.

Kotze says crime is becoming more sophisticated, with inside information playing an increasingly prominent role.

“Whether you were in the store being robbed or just witnessed the incident in a shopping centre, you should seek counselling, regardless of how you might feel.

“It often takes some time to deal with the post-traumatic stress following such robberies,” he concludes.