Solar panel theft on the rise
While this trend has not yet spread to the North Coast, staying ahead of opportunistic criminals is to your advantage.
Who would have thought that going off-grid could make you a target for theft.
Security company Fidelity ADT’s head of marketing and communications, Charnel Hattingh, is warning home and business owners who have solar panels installed of the potential risks.
The growing appeal of solar power equipment has become just as appealing to criminals.
“The past few weeks have seen us receive reports of solar power panels being stolen from properties, typically during the day while homeowners are at work,” Hattingh said, noting the hardest hit areas have included Phoenix and Verulam.
“At least one solar panel is being stolen every week.”
A typical 2kWh system costs about R60 000, ranging upward of R340 000 for a typical 20kWh system, meaning losses can run high.
While this trend has not yet spread to the North Coast, staying ahead of opportunistic criminals is to your advantage.
Umhlali Saps communications officer, Captain Vinny Pillay, and Ballito Neighbourhood Watch chairperson, Morné Steffens, confirmed that no cases had been reported locally.
Hattingh offered the following safety tips:
• Install barrier security (electric fence, beams, sensor lights, burglar bars and interior detection).
• Ensure your yard is well lit at all times.
• Lock tools and garden equipment away. Don’t let your stepladder be the means by which criminals get onto your balcony or roof.
• Never leave your wheelie bin out overnight as criminals not only use these to climb on, they also use them to transport stolen goods in.
• Cut away excess shrubs and bushes as this serves as a good hiding spot for criminals.
• Always keep your alarm armed. Make use of the different features your alarm offers (i.e. stay mode, sleep mode, away mode).
• Join your local neighbourhood watch and street WhatsApp groups.
• Having visible armed response signage can also serve as a deterrent.
• Installing quality CCTV cameras around your premises will help Saps with investigations and will also deter opportunistic criminals.
“Remain vigilant and don’t leave anything to chance. If you see something suspicious, report it immediately,” said Hattingh.
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