Tips to avoid becoming a victim of crime

Recently, the Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, released the national crime statistics, and four provinces, including Gauteng, dominated criminality. This coincides with where our metros are, and the most densely populated locations in the country.

Read more: Empower youth, prevent crime: Impact of the Youth Crime Prevention Desk in Norwood

Although there was a notable decrease in murder, rape cases, and a drop in sexual offences, it is important to implement safety tips that curb crime.

The following tips were provided by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to implement:

Home safety precautions

• Ensure that all doors are locked at all times, and that windows are closed when you are not at home.
• Large dogs serve as a deterrent. At least one dog should be trained to sleep inside the house.
• If you leave your residence, inform your family or neighbours of your intended destination, the time you expect to return, and the route you will be driving, especially if you reside in a rural area.
• Ensure that tools such as axes, spades, picks, ladders, etc, which can be used in an attack, are locked away when you do not use them.
• Vary your daily routine.
• If you are unsure about the security status of your home after returning from work or a visit, eg your dogs do not come to the gate, do not enter your home.

Access and key control

• Do not allow strangers on your premises, or in your house, without having properly identified them, especially at night.
• Implement proper key control measures.
• Identify keys using codes instead of indicating in writing on labels to which gate or door access can be gained.
• Keys to the safe must be kept on the person.
• Never hide keys in traditional places, such as pot plants or under doormats.
• Keys in the keyhole on the inside of the front or back door should be turned to avoid easy removal.
• Never allow strangers to handle keys or look at key numbers.
• Change locks if keys are lost.
• Insert barring devices in door locks.
• Remove keys from doors when leaving.

Also read: Sexual offences up by 56,3% in Alex per 2nd quarter crime stats

Fences or Walls
• A high fence around the house, with lockable gates, is much safer than a high wall due to the advantage of the improved visibility it provides.
• The primary aim of the fence is to make access or intrusion difficult and to allow dogs to move freely around the house.
• Ensure that your gates are locked at all times and the keys cannot be reached easily and are not lying around uncontrolled.
• Security gates with sturdy locks in front of each outer door and burglar proofing covering all windows, is recommended.
• Window bars, security doors, security gates, razor wire, and additional locking devices on doors prevent easy access.

Alarm Systems

• An alarm system, preferably connected to an armed response company, can act as an effective deterrent.
• In the rural environment, a siren or alarm on the roof that can be heard over a long distance and can be activated using a switch or panic button in the house, is recommended.
• A few switches or panic buttons in different rooms of the house should preferably be installed.
• An alarm must also have the capability to warn the occupants of any intrusion into the house.

Security lights

• Security lights on the outside of the house improve the physical protection of a house, farm, or smallholding.
• The lights must be directed away from the house and must allow the occupants to use the windows without being observed from outside.
• Be aware of possible shadows and blind spots.

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Related article: Safety when witnessing crime on the roads