Stay alert this the festive season – Bedfordview SAPS

Residents are urged to remain vigilant as the year draws to a close.

The Bedfordview SAPS has warned that crime trends have shifted with a decrease seen in the area but there are still certain challenges that remain.

Station commander Colonel Wellington Mathiane, who took over the reins in May, said he was optimistic about the progress they have made in the past six months in terms of crime reduction.

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“When it comes to crime, it has gone down. My arrival has had a very positive impact.

“We have worked around some of the grey areas which might have contributed to crime not being under control, but now it’s manageable,” said the station commander.

He said crimes such as house break-ins, theft of motor vehicles, hijackings as well as contact crimes have declined.

“The only crime that is still not to my satisfaction is theft out of motor vehicles,” explained Mathiane.

As the festive season draws near he warned residents to be cautious as online fraud and kidnappings are on the rise during this period.

“These two types of crime are trending all over the country and it is wise for our community to also be alert. Criminals target unsuspecting individuals when they purchase goods online.

“Always verify the seller before making the payment, especially with the social media marketplace. Be careful of suspicious links, whether received via email or text message, disguised as promotions,” he said.

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With regards to kidnappings, Mathiane and the Bedfordview SAPS spokesperson, Sergeant Lillian Modiga, urged the community to be mindful of their surroundings and avoid carrying large sums of money.

They said criminals kidnap people for ransom and empty their banking apps or demand PINs for their bank cards.
If you suspect you are being followed drive to your nearest filling station or police station.

“If you see anything strange, even if it is in a residential area, take down car registration numbers, drive to the nearest public space, preferably where there are lights, or are likely to have cameras, like your filling stations, your mall, complexes, even to the police stations.

“You can also create awareness by quickly informing someone via a phone call that you suspect you are being followed,” stated Mathiane.

He also advised residents to limit the number of banking apps on their phones.

“If possible, have more than one cellphone and keep on you the one you use for day-to-day activities. Keep the one with banking apps, especially if containing large sums of money, at home or somewhere safe,” he added.

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In preparation for the festive season, the station has planned various community engagements starting with creating awareness on the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.

More boots have been placed on the ground as well with officers visiting local shopping centres and public areas, ensuring that residents are informed and safe.

“We want to ensure a positive shopping experience for our community,” said Mathiane.

He also suggested that families avoid taking young children to overcrowded spaces as there is a higher risk of them easily going missing.

He said police would be out in full force with increased patrols, focusing not only on crime prevention but also on addressing specific issues like shoplifting and house markings, a tactic often used by criminal syndicates to identify potential targets for burglaries.

“If you see anything suspicious, like a tin of coke or an item left at your gate, remove it immediately. Residents must be on the lookout for such things if their neighbours are not home.

“Residents should inform their security companies of their whereabouts as well,” he said.

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Reflecting on the year, Mathiane expressed gratitude to all the members of the community who welcomed him, stating that the station continues to build strong relations with local security companies and the CPF.

The station recently lost four of its officers who were promoted and gained a new member.

“We have got a good relationship with security companies, the guys are doing a tremendous job, but we wish we could have more people as part of CPF. In the CPF you will need people with different backgrounds, skills and educational qualifications,” he said.

Both Mathiane and Modiga wished the community of Bedfordview and surrounding areas a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

“We appreciate all our stakeholders including our media partners and we look forward to continuing our work together to keep all our sectors safe.”