While wandering around in town, you could easily find yourself becoming a target for brazen criminals who lurk in the shadows of a quiet alley or loiter in the open veld.
Whether its window shopping, buying your monthly groceries, driving through town or drawing cash from an ATM, safety precautions should always be followed so as to avoid becoming the next statistic.
ALSO READ: MOTORISTS: Safety tips for driving in the CBD
Therefore, Newcastle SAPS Corporate Communications Liaison Officer, lizzy Arumugam issued the following safety tips to ensure residents remain safe while going about their business in town:
To prevent theft out of motor vehicle:
“Always ensure that your car doors are locked before leaving your vehicle. Avoid leaving valuable items such as cash, laptops, cellphones, handbags, purses and camera unattended and visible in your vehicle,” she said.
– Do not leave your car keys in the ignition
– Always ensure your vehicles doors are locked after remote locking them
– Do not park your vehicle in dark areas
– When approaching your house, look around for suspicious people in your area
– In the event that your car had been broken into, and goods stolen, ensure that fingerprints are taken from your car for a proper and thorough police investigation to be done.
To keep safe while at the ATM:
“Be wary of anything which looks suspicious at the ATM, whether its odd-looking equipment or even wires attached to the ATM machine.”
– Stay away from jammed ATM machines.
– Check your bank statements regularly to ensure there were no unusual or unauthorised transactions that took place
– If you see anything unusual or suspicious around an ATM, call the police
– If you find unauthorised ATM transactions on your bank account, immediately notify local police, as well as your financial institution and/or the establishment where the ATM is located.
– Always protect your PIN. Don’t give the number to anyone. Cover the keypad while you are entering your PIN.
– Assess the ATM and its surrounding area.
– Ensure the ATM is in a welllit area and that no one is loitering around the machine.
– Have your ATM card ready when you approach the machine to avoid opening your wallet while queuing.
– Don’t let anyone or anything distract you from your transaction, even by perfectly friendly people offering assistance or asking for the time or directions.
Personal safety tips while out and about in town:
“Never walk around alone, and refrain from talking to strangers.”
– Trust your instincts
– Avoid going onto a congested street where you cannot even walk properly, that is where you will find criminals pick-pocketing
– Avoid displaying valuables while walking in public.
Be street smart:
“Always be aware of your surroundings, with particular interest to individuals near you and around you.”
– If someone looks suspicious or makes you feel uneasy, avoid them. Rather go inside a store if necessary.
– If you must make a call while you are walking, go to a safe public place. Make your call, then conceal your phone the way you would conceal your cash, before going back to the street.
Should you fall victim to crime of any nature, contact the police on 086 001 0111 or 10111 or go to your nearest police station.
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