Following the hijacking on June 23 in Illiondale, Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Roberts from the Edenvale SAPS emphasised the importance of motorists and home owners being aware of their surroundings.
“A vehicle was hijacked minutes after the SAPS warned the driver to park inside the property,” said Lt Col Roberts.
“It is important that residents protect themselves from becoming victims of crime. Likewise, the community should listen to the SAPS when we try to keep them safe,” he said.
According to Lt Col Roberts, business robberies are planned.
“Hijacking and house robberies, on the other hand, can be seen as opportunistic crimes,” said Lt Col Roberts.
He provided the following tips to prevent hijackings:
- Be alert at all times and know your surroundings.
- Check for anything suspicious when approaching the driveway or leaving the driveway.
- Report suspicious looking vehicles or people in the street.
- Know your neighbors, in order to create larger awareness.
- Motorists should refrain from parking outside their homes because they are seen as soft targets.
To prevent house robberies, home owners should:
- Ensure that the security system is operating.
- Home owners with domestic workers should inform them of emergency contact numbers.
- Domestic workers should keep the doors and gates locked at all times.
- Residents who live in enclosed areas should also be alert as it doesn’t always ensure safety.
- Sector numbers should be given to domestic owners and home owners so that they can be alerted.
- Suspicious vehicles and people on foot not known to the area should be reported.
Lt Col Roberts emphasised that if people can follow these simple crime prevention tips, individuals are less likely to be victims of crime.
