With year-end arrival come functions, prize giving and fund-raisers.
Local schools started hosting their prize giving evenings this past week and with that theft of motor vehicles has risen yet again.
On the October 31 the Roets family attended the WH de Klerk merit evening only to find an empty parking spot at the end of the evening.
Their family vehicle was stolen while the school event was taking place.
“We would like to warn the public of the on-going trend of theft of older model motor vehicles. Most of these vehicles are not fitted with alarm systems, tracking devices and some are not even insured. We would like to inform the owners of such older model vehicles to take note of this trend and to try and install additional security in their vehicles. It could be the difference in preventing the vehicle from being stolen or when stolen, having a greater chance of recovery,” said Maureen Scheepers from SACCW (South African Community Crime Watch).
Scheepers continued with a few general tips: “Please ensure that your vehicle is locked. Park in areas where car guards or security are available, ensure your anti-theft devices are activated and in working order, do not leave valuables in view in your vehicles, be vigilant of your surroundings when parking your vehicle. All these vehicles have been stolen from large gathering parking areas such as school sport events and churches etc. Take special care when parking at such events, if you don’t know your vehicle registration number by memory, write it down and keep it in your wallet or purse. In the event of theft it is important to give full vehicle details to officials immediately for a better chance of recovery. Take pictures of your vehicle and save it for BOLO (be on the lookout) purposes should your vehicle be stolen. Take pictures of your license disc and any distinctive marking such as dents or stickers or mags.”
If spotted or if anyone has any information, please call Witbank SAPS direct on 013 655 5051/2.
