Krugersdorp Police urge residents to be extra alert and to report any suspicious activity in the community as a precaution.
Captain Raymond Sebonyane, the Krugersdorp Police spokesperson said criminals are derailing gates by using pick heads to gain access to premises. Police further request employers to inform their domestic workers if any people will be coming to their homes.
In most burglaries that happened recently, LED, LCD and plasma TVs were stolen,” he said.
Brigadier Ngwako Mashao, the Krugersdorp Police station commander also encouraged the community to work hand in hand with police, and advised them to be part of their local Community Policing Forum (CPF) or neighbourhood watch. He furthermore said that second-hand goods dealers (pawnshops) and the community must refrain from buying stolen property.
“It is a punishable offence to buy stolen property,” the Brigadier said.
The Krugersdorp Police can be contacted on 011 951 1151 /011 951 1152 or the officer on duty can be contacted on 082 337 1293 To report crime anonymously, use the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, the SMS Crime Line on 32211, or communicate via the my SAPS app.
Sibiya also gave the following tips:
• Report suspicious behaviour and information to the South African Police Service
• Clear the areas around the property’s gates of bushes and other hiding places
• Take photographs of all employees – it could be to your advantage to identify them, if required
• Do not employ casual workers without a reference • Keep copies of all your employees’ IDs
• Ensure that you have a good relationship with your neighbours so that you will be in a good position to support and help each other
• Do not allow strangers onto your premises or in your house without proper identification
• Implement proper key control measures
• Identify keys by means of codes instead of indicating in writing on labels to which gate/ door access can be gained
• Keys to the safe must be kept on the person
• Never hide any keys in traditional places, such as in pot plants or under doormats
• Keys in the keyhole on the inside of the front or back door should be turned to avoid easy removal
• Never allow strangers to handle keys or look at key numbers
• Change locks when keys are lost
• Insert barring devices in door locks
• Remove keys from doors when leaving
