Vigilance is key to preventing or surviving a hijacking
While incidents of car hijackings have not increased, they are still a reality and motorists are urged to adopt caution, especially at night.
Beagle Watch reported that they have not seen a marked increase in reported hijacking incidents in their footprint but there have been isolated reports and motorists still needed to be vigilant.
Melinda Brussow of the National Hijack Prevention Academy which provides safety training for hijacking, said, “Year on year there is a general upward trend, and the violent factor of these crimes is getting progressively worse.”
Brixton Police Station Spokesperson Jeanette Backhoff said, “Brixton is a general hotspot for hijackings when victims are targeted mostly on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 3 and 9pm.”
Linden police have recorded a slight decrease in incidents of hijackings compared to the same period last year. Windsor, Robindale and Rueiterhoff are the suburbs most affected. “The early hours from 6 to 9am and 12 midday to 3pm are the times one is most likely to be hit,” said Linden Police Station spokesperson Sergeant Takalani Sibiya.
In the Sophiatown policing precinct, hijackings occur mostly in Westdene and Sophiatown. “We urge the community to be alert at all times and to report any suspicious activity as soon as possible to police,” said Sophiatown Police Station spokesperson Captain TJ de Bruyn.
Chairman of the Sophiatown CPF Gus Malgas compiled some safety tips for motorists.
- As far as possible, avoid driving late at night and in unsafe areas. Always be aware when you are driving so you can pick up if a vehicle is following you. Drive to the nearest police station or public place and ask for help. Do not drive home.
- Please lock all doors and ensure windows are always closed when driving around.
- Do not leave valuables visible on car seats while driving as this can cause problems when you get to stop streets.
- When arriving home, don’t enter your driveway without looking around for strange movements or suspicious cars parked nearby. If in doubt, drive around the block.
- When leaving shopping malls, make sure you have your car keys in your hands so you don’t need to stand at your car searching for them in your handbag or bags.
- If confronted by criminals, do not challenge or resist. Valuables and cars can be replaced but your life can’t. Try to remember faces and clothing as these can be used later for the identification of the perpetrators.
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