As part of looking after the safety of customers, stores at shopping malls and the public at large, Mamelodi West police started a safety tip awareness campaign for the festive season.
Police introduced the campaign at the Denlyn Mall in Mamelodi West on Wednesday. Spokesperson Captain Johannes Maheso said: “The purpose of the campaign is to inform customers and shop tenants of different kinds of crime and to expect increased levels this time of the year.”
Police informed the public about armed robbery, common robbery, assaults, theft from vehicles, house burglaries and robberies at ATM machines.
“We have the police and the community policing forum members patrolling at the mall, but most of the cases reported at the station were assault. We are concerned around the festive season because people engage in many parties, go out a lot and end up fighting over beer at shebeens or get involved in domestic violence,” Maheso said.
Safety tips were also provided on home security: “Always keep your house keys safe, change the locks if you suspect keys had been duplicated,” Maheso said.
He also suggested to install bugler bars or alarms, get a dog and ask someone to house-sit when you are away. When going out, Maheso said residents should make sure windows were closed and to report suspicious people in the neighbourhood.
Maheso had the following tips to avoid theft out of vehicles: Never leave your valuables in open view on the car seat, rather put it in the boot. Always lock your vehicle and always check that all the windows are closed.
Centre manager of the mall, Clifford Modishane said: “I am very happy with the awareness campaign and that there are more police and CPF visibility at the Mall.”
“This must not be a once-off campaign for the festive season, it should be practiced every day because crime is happening every day,” said Modishane.
Residents are encouraged to report any crime by phoning 10 111.
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