Six areas in the east of Pretoria remain major hotspots for theft of motor vehicles and robberies, police said this week.
Police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach said the Brooklyn SAPS were concerned about the number of theft of motor vehicles and street robberies in the area after numerous were reported at the weekend.
“Vehicles were stolen during the night as well as during broad daylight,” she said.
“Vehicles that were parked on pavements in front of houses and flats were targeted.
Other vehicles were stolen at church, during a school sport event, in front of a pub, at guest houses, at a food market and around the University of Pretoria.”
She identified Hatfield, Hillcrest, Brooklyn, Lynnwood, Menlo Park and Eramuskloof as the major targeted areas.
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Weilbach advised motorists to park inside yards when possible or to make use of secured parking areas.
“It is recommended that University of Pretoria students try to make use of the free park-and-ride facilities that are available at the sport grounds,” she said.
“This is a much safer option if parking cannot be found on campus itself.
Pedestrians were also targeted for their cellphones at the weekend.
Most of these robberies occurred after 20:00 and into the early morning hours.”
She said generally male pedestrians between the ages of 18 and 30 were targeted.
“It is often found that women will try to move together in groups for safety reasons whereas men do not see the risk of walking alone.”
She said most cellphone users lost their phones to criminals while they were using them in public.
“Criminals either just grabbed the phone or threatened them with knives.”
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In one incident a woman was holding her cell phone in her hand as she got out of her vehicle.
“The suspect quickly grabbed the phone and ran away.”
In another incident two female suspects grabbed a woman’s handbag in a parking lot at a shopping mall.
Weilbach said pedestrians can reduce their chance of falling victim to crime by not using their cell phones in public.
“Always be aware of surroundings and limit outings late at night,” she said.
At the weekend the Brooklyn SAPS arrested 21 suspects during various crime prevention operations.
“The arrests were for driving under the influence of alcohol, drinking in public, common robbery, assault, possession of suspected stolen property and dealing in dagga among other.”
She said police actions would be intensified to reduce crime.
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