Dos and don’ts for staying safe this festive season – Lyttleton police
When shopping with young and small children it is very important to remain focused and not allow them to wander off on their own.
As the festive season approaches, malls will become hunting ground for criminals looking for a quick score as citizens rush to grab Christmas gifts for their loved ones.
To protect yourself, here the Lyttelton police in Centurion give advice on the dos and don’ts of festive shopping.
“Property-related crimes will be our biggest problem, especially theft out of, and from motor vehicles,” said police spokesperson Captain Dave Miller.
“There are some basic guidelines that can be applied to minimise the risk of you becoming a victim of these crimes.”
Miller said even though the police have a comprehensive anti-crime strategy, it was impossible for them to be everywhere as they work with limited resources.
“As such we rely on the cooperation from the community in assisting us with not only being security conscious but also being our eyes and ears.
This time of the year shopping centres in and around the Centurion policing area are extremely busy.
“This is where criminals take an opportunity to strike,” he added.
Miller gave the following dos and don’ts:
Be vigilant at all times in order to identify unfamiliar faces in your surroundings.
“If you feel unsafe in an area rather leave and find another spot to park. Trust your instincts.”
When shopping with young and small children, it is very important to remain focused and do not allow them to wander off on their own.
“It is a good idea to place a bracelet tag on them with a contact number in case they get separated from you. Identify a specific spot in the shopping centre to use as a meeting point should you get separated from one another, make sure that it is easily identifiable and the location is known to everyone.”
Miller cautioned residents about leaving valuables unattended, adding that they should also allow their mobile devices to distract them.
“Texting while in the mall makes one an easy victim for criminals.”
The captain said it was vital for residents to make sure that their home security was up to standard, especially burglar-proofing on sliding doors as criminals target them to gain entry.
“The most common point of entry into a house is usually an open window where the burglar bars are then broken open or the kitchen or front door is forced open to gain entry.
“The more security features you have in place, the more difficult it will be for the suspect to break in. As far as possible always keep all windows closed – especially at night. Make sure all burglar gates are securely locked and that your alarm system is activated,” he said.
Meanwhile, Monitor Net public relations officer JP le Roux told Rekord that crimes rife at this time were common robberies, theft out of motor vehicles and housebreaking.
“Currently our biggest challenge is load-shedding and delays in receiving information from the general public. The quicker and more accurate information received, the better we can react,” Le Roux said.
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