A successful crime prevention awareness campaign was recently held at Leaping Frog Shopping Centre, led by the Douglasdale South African Police Service (SAPS).

Read more: Douglasdale SAPS tracks, arrests suspects across precinct

The initiative was supported by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Regions A and E, Night Guard Security, NCVT, SANCA, Leaping Frog Shopping Centre Management, and the Douglasdale Community Policing Forum (CPF). Together, these partners engaged with the public to promote safety, raise awareness, and strengthen community-police relations.

This initiative was part of the Douglasdale SAPS festive season safety plan, which aims to increase police visibility, promote community safety, and educate the public on key crime concerns with the Douglasdale police precinct.

Officers and security partners moved throughout the shopping centre to interact with patrons.

They distributed pamphlets with safety tips and engaged shoppers directly to raise awareness and provide crime prevention advice.

Also read: SAPS Douglasdale partners with stakeholders for the community engagement and outreach programme in Kya Sand

During the campaign, many shoppers were observed leaving valuables such as cellphones, laptops, and handbags visible inside their vehicles.

Officials reminded the public to keep all valuables out of sight and to ensure their vehicles are locked to prevent becoming victims of opportunistic crimes.

Warrant Officer Nicholas Mokwena of Dougladale SAPS and Freda Boiles, public relations officer for Douglasdale CPF, stated that the awareness campaign is part of a larger safety initiative leading up to the festive season.

“We want to make people aware that as we get closer to the festive period, criminals often target shoppers and motorists. We encourage everyone to stay alert, secure their valuables, and report any suspicious activity,” said Mokwena.

@caxtonjoburgnorth JMPD and SAPS officials handing out pamphlets at the Leaping Frog Shopping Centre during the crime prevention campaign on October 15, 2025. Photo: Ayanda Ntshingila #JMPD #SAPS ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Boules added that the campaign’s visibility not only helps inform the public but also deters criminals.

“When the community sees police and security partners working together, they feel safer. Criminals are less likely to operate in the area,” she said.

The campaign addressed a variety of common crimes within the Douglasdale police precinct, including:

• Hijackings.
• Theft of and from motor vehicles.
• Common robberies.
• Gender-based violence (GBV).
• Child protection.

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