The Kagiso Police have noticed a new trend where criminals target mourners at funeral services and cemeteries.

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“Unsuspecting mourners park their cars at the cemetery to attend a burial and pay their last respects to their loved ones and friends. While everyone is focusing on the funeral proceedings the criminals take the opportunity to walk around the parked vehicles and look for personal belongings like handbags, laptops and cell phones,” said Kagiso Police spokesperson Captain Solomon Sibiya.

They then break in and steal whatever they can lay their hands on. Police would therefore like to warn people who attend a funeral to avoid leaving their valuables where criminals can easily see them.

“If you have valuables that you cannot take with you, make sure that you put them in your car boot. Do not leave anything on your vehicle seats that might attract criminals.” Captain Sibiya reminded the community that criminals are opportunists who always monitor your level of alertness, and will prey on reluctant and unsuspecting individuals in a split second.