Crime levels rise as economy re-opens
"He attributed this increase in “petty crimes” to the high increase in unemployment."
Crime levels in the east of Pretoria may have dropped during the lockdown, but they were starting to climb again under level 3.
“On an average day, we get about four attempted robberies, which is an increase from almost no attempted robberies in a day under the full lockdown,” said Brinant Security spokesperson Erick Becker.
Becker said there was also an increase in attempted business, complex and estate robberies.
Becker said most of crimes involved “opportunistic” criminals.
CSI Security spokesperson Dana Bloem said crime rose by about 60% from the full lockdown.
“We have seen an increase in crime in areas such as Newlands and Ashlea Gardens,” Bloem said.
“We are seeing robberies, cash-in-transit robberies and burglaries.”
Bloem said out-of-car thefts and thefts of motor vehicles also resurfaced.
READ MORE: Police ministry records increase in crime during lockdown level 4
He said a high number of people were robbed of their cellphones while walking in the streets.
He attributed this increase in “petty crimes” to the high increase in unemployment.
Fidelity ADT spokesperson Philip Uys said during level 5 there was a very distinct drop in crime.
“We began to see a change under level 4. If one compares household robberies, for example, in the same period last year, we were looking at approximately a thousand incidents in May 2019. Although this dropped to just over 200 in May 2020, it definitely started to climb again week by week.”
He said the majority of cases were business burglaries and robberies, along with some house robberies and street robberies. He said, there were hardly any motor car thefts, which are usually ran by organised crime.
Uys agreed most crimes were “opportunistic” in nature.
READ MORE: About 1 430 suspects arrested for crimes ranging from murder, rape and hijacking
“In particular, we had theft of electronic devices such as cellphones from joggers, walkers and cyclists. There were even laptops and tablets stolen through open windows or unlocked doors. This shows that criminals are starting to care less and less about the lockdown.”
He said his company anticipated for crime to rise even more, particularly commercial vehicle hijackings.
“We anticipate a steady increase in the number of residential crimes such as housebreak and theft.”
Uys said there was also a rise in gender-based violence.
“We urge communities to be very aware of this.
“If you hear concerning screams or sounds indicative of domestic violence, please report it to your local police station.
“We are worried we may see an increase in violent crime now that alcohol sales have been opened up as well. Although there are no firm stats yet, we believe mental well-being is as big a concern under Covid-19 as is physical health,” Uys said.
With “little chance of a swift economic recovery”, Uys anticipated that crime levels would continue to rise.
READ MORE: Increase in vehicle crimes since start of lockdown level 4
Residents and business owners must remain vigilant at all times, he said.
Bull Security French Jooste said an increase in crime started under level 4 with a spike in vehicle thefts, especially Toyota Hilux bakkies.
Under level 3, he said there was spike in general burglaries in the east.
“People are not able to generate any income during the lockdown. Overnight, we noticed more beggars on street corners than before.
“At the shopping malls, we get daily complaints of beggars walking around asking for money.”
Jooste said there was a “massive spike” in domestic violence and suicide cases over the entire lockdown period.
“There is also a big increase in theft of gate motors and motorcycles, plus we had a few ATM card scam incidents as well the past week.”
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