With ongoing operations of reducing the crime rate in the area the Head of Crime Prevention at the Sandton Police Station, Colonel Cain Sibitane, shares important details of specific crime trends in the area.
As one of the largest epicentres of business-related deals in Africa, Sandton does face the predicament of criminal activities involving fraud, money laundering and also cybercrime.
Sibitane discussed the main crime trends which residents and visitors of Sandton should be on the lookout for. “The area in which we operate in is regarded as the economic hub. Sandton attracts a lot of opportunists from outside of the area to try their luck.
“We have been seeing a lot of reports of criminals stealing phones, especially in moments when the victims use their devices in public areas. Housebreakings and hijackings have been an ongoing crime trend in Sandton which we are trying to eradicate on a daily basis. The most common crime trend in our area is fraud.”
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Through information provided by the Buccleuch Residents Association (BRA), the organisation has identified specific crime trends affecting different sectors around Sandton.
Crime trends in each sector:
- Sector 1 (Gallo Manor, Rivonia, Woodmead, Sunninghill): Burglary at business premises and theft of motor vehicle
- Sector 2 (Bryanston, River Club, Lonehill, Paulshof): Robbery with firearm
- Sector 3 (Benmore Gardens, Parkmore, Sandown, Morningside, Duxberry): Burglary at residential premises
- Sector 4 (Kelvin, Buccleuch, Eastgate, Kramerville, Wendywood): Carjacking
“Do not just walk operating your phones without a care in the world. Make sure that you always check your surroundings and that you are in areas where there’s people,” concluded Sibitane on using mobile devices in public spaces.