Newcastle SAPS Corporate Communications recently issued an urgent community warning, regarding safety measures that should be taken to avoid becoming a victim of crime.
Below is a list of precautions, which residents are urged to take note of:
– Housebreaking remains a problem, and the community still fall victim to this crime by not adhering to safety measures.
– Most people do not have a list of serial numbers for their possessions.
– Most people are contributing to crime by buying stolen goods, giving the perpetrators a market for stolen goods.
-Police have arrested many suspects believed to be in possession of stolen property. However, many don’t see justice served as the goods cannot be identified, therefore making it difficult for the suspect to be charged.
-Residents are urged to mark their belongings and keep a list of their furniture and belongings serial numbers, as it makes identification easier.
-If you know of anyone selling stolen property, report it immediately to the SAPS.
– Police warned the community of criminals using duplicate keys to gain access to houses. If you suspect your keys have been duplicated, you should have the locks changed to avoid being burgled.
-Always keep the keys for your house in a safe place.
-If your child has keys to the house, ensure they know what safety measures to follow.
-If you have a gate motor installed, ensure you know the people who are installing it. Always insist that you be given proof of where the gate motor was purchased. Request receipts for the purchase of your gate motor. Engrave your name into your gate motor, so if it were to be stolen, you can identify it.
-Make sure your gate is closed before you leave your house in the morning. If your gates are left open, it makes entry and theft of the motor easy.
-Police urge people not to withdraw money from an ATM on their own. Always take a friend or family member with you.
-Never leave money inside your vehicle, even if you think it is well hidden.
-If you suspect someone is following you from the bank, stop and contact the police immediately.
-When it comes to large sums of money, rather have the bank transfer it instead of carrying it around with you.
If you suspect a person of any of these crimes or know of any other criminal activities, please contact the SAPS on 10111 or 08610111.
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