Several business and house armed robberies have been reported recently in the Gauteng area. This week alone there have been eight reported incidents within the Fidelity ADT footprint. Areas affected include, The Reeds, Ellaton, Boksburg, Kempton Park, Protea Glen, Parkdene, Westdene and Primrose.

Charnel Hattingh, Group head of marketing & communications at Fidelity ADT, says criminals are becoming more brazen and using different tactics to lure residents out of their homes.

“How you react when faced with a nervous, gun-toting criminal can save your life, or cost you your life. All family members need to know what to do if uninvited guests come through the door intent on robbing you, or worse.”

6 tips of what to do in a residential armed robbery:

1. Stay calm and obey the robbers’ orders.
2. Keep your hands visible and don’t reach for anything unless told to do so.
3. Don’t try to negotiate with them. Speak when spoken to and do so clearly.
4. Give them what they ask for and don’t lie about safes or cash in the home. In all likelihood, the robbers have done their homework.
5. Observe the robbers and try to gather information on their appearances, voices, language used, etc. Look at clothing, distinguishing marks, height and types of weapons, for example.
6. Keep them informed so there are no surprises, like a family member arriving for a visit.

Afterwards:

• Press your panic button/phone to alert your armed response service provider and/or phone the police on 10111. Say if you need medical assistance.
• Lock all doors.
• Check on the victims. Keep everyone calm.
• Relate the incident clearly and in detail to the first responders.
• Try not to disturb areas the robbers were in and point out anything they may have left behind.

For businesses:

• Controlled entrances are important in preventing over-crowding in your premises, make sure you have measures in place to restrict movement at entrances and exits to your business, for both staff and customers.
• Implementing solutions that assist you in doing this could dramatically reduce shrinkage in your business.
• Be alert during opening and closing times. Always work in pairs to prevent being surprised or being overpowered by criminals. Train your staff to ask for identification before allowing entry to the premises.
• Make sure all outside entrances and inside security doors have deadbolt locks. If you use padlocks, they should be made of steel and kept locked at all times. Remember to remove serial numbers from your locks, to prevent unauthorised keys from being duplicated.
• Windows should have secure locks and burglar-resistant glass. Consider installing metal grates on all your windows except display windows.
• Light the inside and outside of your business, especially around doors, windows, skylights, or other entry points. Consider installing covers over exterior lights and power sources to deter tampering.
• Always use the services of a reputable company when selecting security guards. Always rotate security guards and insist that they are vetted on a regular basis.