Let’s all obey the rules so criminals don’t enjoy Christmas in July
Amid high caution over the spike in Covid-19 cases in Gauteng, suburbs and cities are slowly becoming more lively as people take advantage of the eased restrictions in level 3.
Charnel Hattingh, National Marketing and Communications Manager at Fidelity ADT, says more activity in suburbs, on the roads and around shopping environments across the country is attractive to criminals, especially opportunistic criminals.
With everyone forced to wear masks as part of the lockdown regulations, it is also easier for criminals to blend in, she added.
“Not only is South Africa at the height of the pandemic, but we are also back to fighting increased crime levels. It is important to remember criminals gravitate towards crowds and busy areas. Social distancing is not ‘good for business’ if you are a criminal,” Hattingh points out.
“By going out unnecessarily, you are putting yourself at risk of falling victim to crime.”
Crimes which can happen in busy environments like shopping centres:
- Purse snatching: People even use small children to steal out of handbags. Trust nobody and keep your personal belongings safe in a bag which closes properly. Beware of someone pushing up against you or a stranger distracting you.
- ATM fraud: Do not accept help from strangers at ATMs anywhere. If the machine appears to not be working properly, walk away.
- Armed robberies: Criminals are brazen enough to enter stores in the middle of the day and hold staff and customers up. It is not a new trend but has picked up significantly since lockdown has moved to level 3.
- Parking area robberies: Women alone are vulnerable. Be aware of your surroundings when walking to your car. People have been robbed in their cars in broad daylight and/or had their vehicles hijacked.
“You would think with so many people around someone would notice and come to your rescue, but people are caught up in their own worlds. This is also what makes it easy for criminals to operate with impunity in this country,” Hattingh said. “Oftentimes, people simply do not want to get involved.”
Read: Overweight South Africans can take measures to protect themselves against Covid-19
The other concern around shopping environments is the fact a lot of people are followed home.
Hattingh says it is imperative to have your wits about you from the time you get back into your car.
- Check for suspicious people or vehicles and make sure you are not being followed.
- Never flash your purchases around.
- Do not wear expensive jewellery when out shopping.
- If you think you are being followed, make a few turns to verify this and then phone your private security company to meet you close to home or go to the nearest police station.
- Even if you live in a boomed area, be vigilant at the entrance. If you find yourself confronted by armed robbers at your car window, keep calm and let them take what they want.
- Check your street for suspicious cars or people before arriving home.
- Do not pull up directly in front of your gate. Always stop in the street and wait for the gate to open. Close the gate directly behind your car and wait until it is closed before exiting your vehicle.
- Keep a remote panic in your car.
- Lock all security gates once inside the house and activate garden beams.
- Never open the gate for strangers, no matter what their story.
“We will not be in lockdown forever, but while we are let us all obey the rules – mask up, sanitise, social distance and stay home if you can. The fewer people out and about, the fewer victims criminals have to target,” Hattingh concludes.
“Do not let your shopping excursion become an early Christmas for them.”
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