DURBAN North SAPS has warned of a remote jamming syndicate operating in the Durban North and uMhlanga area. More than 20 cases of theft out of motor vehicles have been reported since the beginning of this month. On Thursday alone, five cases were reported with the value of items stolen standing at R84 000. According to the crime statistics released last year, 1 127 cases of theft out of motor vehicles have been reported.

Capt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North police station said the syndicate were targeting cars with laptops.

“McCausland Crescent in uMhlanga, Milkwood Crescent in La Lucia and Fairway in Durban North were just some of the roads targeted. More than 70 per cent of the cases of theft out of motor vehicles involve laptops. Remote jammers, get within close proximity to your vehicle and use a signal frequency to jam your own remote from functioning.

“In the past we’ve noticed a trend where people, who open cases of this nature, say they arrived at their destination and realised their laptop or valuables were on the floor of the passenger seat. They then put it in the boot, lock their car and walk away. This syndicate is always on the lookout for such opportunities. Items such as laptops, cameras, and phones are what the suspects most often look for. I urge residents to double-check they have locked their cars and not to leave valuables in their cars,” he said.