A spike in vehicle theft cases in Sinoville in Pretoria, Gauteng has the CPF concerned with the spokesperson saying particular makes and models seem to be on car thieves’ and hijackers’ list.

Sinoville CPF spokesperson Lizette du Plooy says Ford Rangers are currently high in demand.  Other vehicle models that often get taken include VW Polo, Nissan NP200, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Etios.

The CPF says and more cases of stolen vehicles are being reported as of late in the precinct.

“Motorists should remain vigilant when driving or stopping. They must be aware of their surroundings, especially at night,” warns Du Plooy

She says people should avoid parking in the street when visiting friends or family.

“If you have to park outside, park in a well-lit area and keep an eye on your vehicle.”

The latest crime statistics released by police minister Bheki Cele, show an increase in car and motorcycle theft in Sinoville.

The precinct has recorded an increase of 2.2% in motor vehicle theft since the start of this year. Ninety-four cases of car theft have been recorded, making it the highest since 2021.

Reports are that criminals were targeting the most popular car models due to the high demand for their parts.

“As a community, we need to come together and start fighting back,” Du Plooy says.

“Therefore, we encourage people to join the CPF to fight crime in their neighbourhoods.”

The CPF had the following tips:

• Never keep a set of spare keys in the vehicle.
• Avoid leaving documents with your address in the vehicle.
• Take pictures of your vehicle for description purposes.
• Know exactly where you keep registration information; send a copy to a family member or friend.
• Know your tracking company and have contact details handy; know the alert procedure.