There has been an increase in the theft of outdoor beams in Northmead, Morehill, Brentwood Park and especially Rynfield.
According to a WhatsApp crime group, the latest incident was in Dobson Street, Rynfield, on July 30. On July 29, beams were stolen in Thom Street, Rynfield, and the suspects were in a maroon Toyota Etios.
Benoni SAPS Capt Nomsa Sekele confirmed these incidents and said police are working on these cases.
A post on the Benoni CPF Whatsapp group stated, on July 29, that the Etios “involved in stealing alarm beams in Benoni has been stopped in Johannesburg, suspects have been arrested and the vehicle impounded. Well done to Capt Alie van den Berg and his team from SAPS, Bad Boyz Security, the Snipr team, 4Warn Security and our CPF members”.
The above has not, however, been confirmed yet by the Benoni SAPS.
So, what is the attraction for criminals with outdoor beams?
Melisande Barnard, community development manager, Fidelity ADT, said there is a huge variety of outdoor beams and passive infrared detection devices that are used externally for various onsite applications as early detection devices.
“These devices vary in price according to product specification,” said Barnard. “The more expensive optic lenses have a good resell market value which may be the sole driving purpose behind the recent trend we have experienced not only in Rynfield but also in the greater Benoni area.”
Barnard said there have been a large number of secondhand devices available on online sales platforms recently, which indicates that there is definitely a “market” for this. “We believe that the beams are simply being stolen for resale purposes.”
Robin Lithgow, from a manufacturer and distributor of electronic security products, said in the past few years they have noticed an increase in the theft and or damage of outdoor detectors.
“This is done to either resell them on the black market or to disable them in preparation for a break in,” he said.
He offered the following advice:
- Physical enhancements: The first obvious deterrent is to install a custom-made anti-theft bracket with correct wall mounting plugs and screws to prevent the removal of the detector without affecting the functioning of the device.
- Electronic enhancements: Wireless battery monitoring/supervision, anti-jamming, anti-tampering, anti-masking.
“Our advice to the general public is to not purchase any ‘cheap’ devices from online sources but to rather ask your local security company for their preferences for outdoor detectors that have tamper proof and anti-masking features built into them,” Lithgow said.
“Every site is unique and there is no one size fits all solution when you are dealing with potential life or death situations.”Compare the prices and features of these devices before purchasing. Buy a well-known trusted name of device that you will be using to secure the life of both yourself and your loved ones.”
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