Curbing festive season crime
Ensuring safety at malls and shopping centres is a priority.
Preparing for an increase in criminal activities associated with the festive season was the main focus of a meeting held last Thursday between police and representatives from security companies, malls and shopping centres.
While held at the Brakpan police station, the meeting was not confined to local businesses. Participants also hailed from surrounding towns such as Benoni and Boksburg.
ATM bombings, shoplifting, robberies and other crime trends were discussed. There was also a presentation by the Cash-In-Transit Association of South Africa (CITASA) which provided an overview of cash-in-transit incidents on the East Rand over the past three months.
It was recommended that security and visibility be increased from this month to February and that malls and shopping centres implement a festive season security plan.
SAPS are planning operations during the holidays and members will be deployed to hot spot areas.
Members of the community are urged to be vigilant while shopping and to take extra precautions at banks and ATMs.
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