Sharp increase in motor theft – police
RANDBURG – Police claimed there is an increase of motor theft in Honeydew Sector 1.
Honeydew Sector 1 has noted a sharp increase in motor theft and theft of valuables from vehicles in the area.
According to Honeydew police and the Honeydew Sector 1 Community Policing Forum (CPF), house robberies, house break-ins and vagrants are still prevalent, although they are not as problematic as the two other crime trends. These conclusions were made at the meeting between the police, community representatives and the CPF team.
They agreed that crime in Honeydew Sector 1 remained the same with only few variations since January and February.
Although he did not give exact figures, chairperson Greg Pearce of the Honeydew Sector 1 community policing forum said statistics showed that vehicle theft and theft of valuables out of vehicles are currently the most common crimes in this sector.
“Vehicles are often stolen when parked on verges,” said Pearce. “Very few are stolen at residents’ houses.”
This is despite an attempt made to steal Ward 101 councillor Ralf Bittkau’s vehicle, at his home.
They said theft of valuables from the vehicles happens predominantly at shopping centres around the sector and at both large and smaller centres.
According to the police, perpetrators often use car remote jammers to prevent remotes from locking car doors. They urged residents to check the doors of their cars manually to ascertain that they are closed properly, before proceeding with their shopping.
House break-ins are still occurring, but now perpetrators are quickly placing black tape over electric gate beams while they close, in order for the gates to stay opened. They then pounce and rob residents in their driveways.
Police said vagrants live in various locations and particularly in the corners of Beyers Naude Drive and Northumberland Avenue, Sundowner and C.R. Swart Drive and President Fouche Road, in Northwold.
Warrant Officer Gabriel Nonyane of the Honeydew police explained that the police are doing their best and vagrants have been arrested around the sector.
He added that vagrants on the latter corner have realised that the police are serious about dealing with them and are preparing to move to Zandspruit.
Details: Honeydew police 011 801 8613/4/5
