Gate motor theft on the rise in the Moot
“There is definitely a wave of these crimes in the area.”
Security companies, neighbourhood watches and the police have their hands full with cable theft in the Moot.
“There is definitely a wave of this crime in the area,” said the chairperson of AfriForum’s East Moot neighbourhood watch, Andries Opperman.
Opperman said Waverley, Môregloed, Kilnerpark and Queenswood are the most affected by this crime.
The neighbourhood watch has helped to catch several criminals of this crime the past month.
“This is thanks to good cooperation between interested parties,” said Opperman.
Kilnerpark Security spokesperson Ancelize van der Kooi said cable theft was not the only problem in the area – gate motor theft is also rife.
ALSO READ: Gate motor theft rife in Moot – security company
Van der Kooi said between Monday and Friday last week, three cases of cable theft had been reported, as well as three cases of gate motor theft.
“Residents must be vigilant as these two crimes are rising in the area,” she said.
The security company also helped in the arrest of a cable thief and a gate motor thief last week.
“If we all work together, I believe we can put a stop to these crimes,” she said.
Van der Kooi advised residents to write down the serial numbers of their gate motors.
“Sometimes the police can get the gate motors back, but they do not know who it belongs to as the residents do not even know what the number is,” she said.
Van der Kooi said metal brackets are also a good way to protect a gate motor since it uses a stronger lock.
“It is very easy for criminals to break a small lock,” she said.
“Residents must always make sure that they use a strong and secure lock on their gate motors.”
Villieria police spokesperson Captain Coba Brits said even though these crimes did not fall under “priority crimes”, it is still regarded as a priority at the Villieria police station.
ALSO READ: Stolen cables being replaced following west cable theft
“We are asking the public once again to report any suspicious persons or vehicles to the police station.”
She said when residents reported crimes, especially in the case of a gate motor theft, they must provide the police with the necessary information.
This includes the date, time and place of the crime, the type of fencing around the property and how entrance was gained to the property.
Other information concerns the number of dogs on the property, if the gate motor was visible from the street and if the device was bolted down.
Brits said residents must also provide video material to the police, if available.
According to her, residents must also make sure that a new gate motor is being installed instead of a used one.
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