Rise in residential burglaries
There has been an increase in residential burglary cases reported to police from the start of January to mid-February.
Police have confirmed that there was an increase during this period, but a slight decrease at the time of publishing.
Benoni SAPS acting station commander Col Martin van Nieuwenhuizen said affected areas include Rynfield, Morehill, Northmead, Farrarmere, Western Extension and Modderbee (Kingsway and Lindelani).
“Most of the burglaries occur in the morning and afternoon,” said van Nieuwenhuizen.
“This is when most residents are at work and school.”
Van Nieuwenhuizen said they urge residents to report the crime and open a case, even if there is no damage or goods missing.
In an effort to prevent such crime, van Nieuwenhuizen encouraged residents to join the CPF, get a security company and to make the acquaintance of their neighbours.
“We also advise residents to alert their domestic workers to people who claim that they are from certain companies and have been sent to fix things in the house,” he said.
“If your employer didn’t tell you about people who will be coming to fix something in the house, call your employer to find out if it’s true or call the police,” was his advice to domestic workers.
“Police can come and verify if the people are from the company they claim has sent them.”
Among measures to be taken are:
- Community members should take extra precautions as burglaries mostly occur between 6.45am and 5pm.
- Lock gates and doors.
- Keep valuables out of sight, so that snooping strangers can’t identify them.
- Report all strange or suspicious people to the police.
- Don’t let strangers inside the house, rather talk to them outside.
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