DURBAN North SAPS has warned residents to be wary of their personal belongings when they are at shopping malls or at restaurants. While it may not be a new phenomenon, there has been a series of incidents where women’s handbags are being targeted in the Durban North area. Lt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the station, said there were at least seven cases reported last week.
“The spike in cases may not be a significant one, but we would like to warn residents of this type of crime. The modus operandi for theft of handbags and its contents, normally involve female shoppers leaving their bags on the top of their trolleys.
“The items mainly targeted are cellphones. In another incident, a woman had her handbag stolen after leaving her bag on the floor while she tried on a new pair of shoes. I urge shoppers to be aware of their personal belongings and to report anybody acting suspiciously,” he said.
Deokaran warned leaving handbags, cellphones and laptops unattended was an open invitation to criminals. He also added that some criminals used distraction or accomplices in the theft. This follows recent CCTV footage at a Johannesburg restaurant, showing a young girl being directed by two women to steal a cellphone from a handbag hanging off the back of a customer’s chair.
“Though this theft happened in Johannesburg, it’s not unheard of. Earlier this year, a Durban North resident was approached by two women who admired her baby, when the women had left, the victim realised her bag had been stolen,” he said.
