Following an increase in gate motor thefts in Edenvale, SAPS has urged property owners to exercise caution.
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Communications officer for Edenvale Police Station Sergeant Jacob Mashile said SAPS issued the appeal after an apparent increase in gate motor thefts.
“The thefts are a concern to SAPS and law enforcement,” said Mashile.
He said to deter suspects from accessing their properties, owners should consider installing infrared beams, combined with detection alarms.
“Once installed these measures should alert you if someone tampers with your gate motor,” said Mashile.
Mashile advised community members to install a theft-resistant cage around the gate motor and use a high-quality lock to secure it.
“Thieves often just put their hands through the fence and switch it to manual before opening the gate.
“The motor’s cover cannot be removed with the anti-theft cage in place, nor can the manual override be accessed.”
Mashile said bolting the gate motor to the ground will also lessen the likelihood of it being stolen.
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“Install anti-lift brackets or weld a piece of flat bar onto the gate rack to prevent thieves from bending the rack upwards.”
He told property owners to pay attention to the tooth bar that connects the motor to the gate.
“The tooth bar is a rack fixed to sliding gates that allow the electric gate operator’s drive cog to move the gate in the chosen direction,” explained Mashile.
He said thieves often use tools to bend this bar and open the gate.
“Safeguard the tooth bar by welding a flat bar into the space between the tooth bar and the gate.”
Alternatively, Mashile advised property owners to use metal sheeting on their gates.
He said this would hide the gate motor from view and prevent access to the tooth bar or motor.
Mashile said combining theft-resistant cages with electronic devices like wireless alarms or connecting them to the property’s alarm system should reduce thefts.
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If property owners can afford it, Mashile advised them to install CCTV cameras and lights around the gate.
Besides providing advice to property owners, Edenvale SAPS urged registered second-hand goods dealers to exercise caution and observe compliance when buying gate motors from sellers.
Mashile said the same word of caution was extended to those selling second-hand gate motors.
“Police will arrest the buyers and sellers of stolen goods.”
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