Residents and shoppers at Leaping Frog Shopping Centre were encouraged to remain alert and proactive during a crime awareness campaign hosted by the Douglasdale South African Police Service and Community Policing Forum (CPF).

The campaign brought together several role players, including NightGuard Security, the national credit regulator (NCR), and centre management, with teams deployed throughout the shopping centre and surrounding areas to engage with shop owners, shoppers, and pedestrians on crime prevention and public safety.

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Residents received safety brochures covering a range of topics, including theft out of motor vehicles, hijackings, internet fraud, e-hailing safety, ATM safety, gender-based violence, and house robbery prevention.

Douglasdale South African Police Service Brigadier Arikum Veeshani emphasised the importance of partnerships in combating crime.

“Collaboration between the community, police, and security companies is very important. The community and security companies are the ears and eyes of the police. They assist us in preventing crime and ensuring the safety of residents.

This collaboration helps the public understand that we all work together for a common purpose: To reduce crime in the Douglasdale area and make Douglasdale a better place.”

During the operation, officials said many motorists were still leaving valuables visible inside their vehicles, making them easy targets for opportunistic criminals.

Also read: Douglasdale police nab hijacking suspects

“As winter approaches and daylight hours become shorter, motorists are urged to remain vigilant, keep windows closed where possible, and maintain safe following distances in traffic to reduce the risk of crime,” said CPF public relations officers Freda Boiles.

She also explained that campaigns like these help residents better understand the various organisations working alongside police to support community safety and wellbeing.

Zonke Majola, from the NCR, said the campaign also focused on educating residents about consumer protection and credit bureau information.

“We are here to create awareness about consumers’ rights and to help people understand where to go for assistance regarding debt counselling, credit providers, and credit bureau matters. Working together with the CPF allows us to reach more people in the community.”

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