Police in the Uthukela Cluster are appealing to members of the public, who own tuck shops and small community shops, to be aware of a tactic that robbery suspects are using to gain entrance into premises.

Most tuck shops and small shops have burglar proofing on all entrance and exit points as well as the serving hatch. The suspects approach the tuck shop or shop and request to buy large bags of maize meal. The shop owner then opens the security gates in order to pass the large bag to the buyer.

Once the security door or burglar proofing is open, the suspects barge in and steal cash, cell phones and airtime vouchers.
Recently such an incident happened in Estcourt. On Sunday, September 4 at about 7.30pm, a 31-year-old man, selling items through the burglar proofing of his shop, was approached by two men who asked to buy maize meal.

The bag was too large to pass through the security gates and so the gate was unlocked and opened to allow for the removal of the maize meal bag. As soon as the security of the premises was compromised, four men stormed in and stole various items from the store.

The suspects were armed with firearms. In the interest of your safety, police advise tuck shop and shop owners to devise a system where large items can be accessed without compromising your shop security or to make available less bulky items for sale.