Lyttelton takes a stand against cable theft

Lyttelton has joined a list of neighbourhoods that have been plagued by cable theft from meter boxes, which cuts power to ’ homes for hours.

The community has had enough, and together with the local security cluster, is taking a stand against these crimes.

Amanda Vos is one of several residents that have been affected by this in the area.

“The one minute you expect a normal day, and then the power is down,” she told Rekord.

“This happens everywhere, I have family out on the plots who also have these issues, but here it is really a thing at the moment.”

Vos said the criminals were aware of cameras in the neighbourhood and made efforts to duck below them.

She said that in less than two weeks, two of her neighbours had also been hit by the criminals.

“They first stole [from] my neighbour next door, her whole electricity box. Then they went to the neighbour on the corner, they lifted her gate and stole her things.

“It was petty crime, gas cylinders and anything else they could find, before even closing the gate again when they went out.”

Then, Vos’ electrical box was stripped last week.

“They are not scared, we have so many security companies around here.
I hope that what the security companies are doing will make a difference.”

Despite the trend, Vos said that the community has taken a proactive approach, and was working together to try to mitigate these petty crimes.

“What happens when we want to sell? Our places will be worth nothing, with the illegal settlement here, and all these things that have been happening.

Another problem is that many people decide not to report it because they don’t want the records that can affect them.

But that is a no-win situation because it means it will just continue.”

Lytcom spokesperson Chris de Beer said that the security cluster in the area was increasing patrols and visibility to tackle the problem.

He encouraged residents to get involved in the local neighbourhood watch and CPF to combat crime in the area.

Local security company PRSS also put security officers on foot patrol through the area.

“With all the cable theft and electricity box theft going on, we increased our visibility, adding some vehicles in the area,” said PRSS operations director, Poena Jansen van Rensburg.

“We are on the lookout, and people should immediately report any suspicious behaviour through our control room.”

Jansen van Rensburg encouraged residents to make sure that their security systems were working and in order.

Ward councillor Johann van Buuren said that the type of crime had increased recently.

“Previously this type of crime was few and far between, but the regularity started this year.

As with any type of crime, it is a good idea to report this to SAPS. This can be used for their operations and their planning.”

Van Buuren explained that the meters inside the boxes were not of much value for resale, but that the criminals were targeting the copper content in the meters and the cables.

“The value of the copper is very little. This is not an organised syndicate, but petty crime.”

However, he said that the issue cost the city as well as affecting residents left without power.

“We are working on the proactive responses to this, like the valuable work that the security companies are doing.

In terms of the reactive response, residents must please report this to the electricity department as per the normal reporting procedure for power outages.”

He said that residents should include in the complaint a description that the matter was a cable theft incident.

“There are three different departments that need to collaborate to repair these boxes.”

He said that the area was fortunate enough to have most issues resolved within 24 and 48 hours.

Some residents have taken to protecting their own electricity boxes by installing cages and other protection measures over the boxes.

Van Buuren said that the metro’s Community Upliftment Precincts (CUP) allowed residents to apply to participate in projects to protect their communities.

He said that residents should be aware, however, that the meter reading team needed access to the meter.

Ward councillor David Farquharson said residents who were at risk were permitted to enclose boxes in lockable cages.

“[This is] a nasty new trend from cable thieves,” Farquharson told Rekord.

“Among the vulnerable people put at risk by this new heartless tactic are the elderly at the Medifrail clinic.

“They were among the first places targeted in Ward 57.”

De Beer encouraged residents that wish to get involved in the fight against crime to send an email with their street name and closest corner as well as a contact number to info@lytcom.com

De Beer offered the following safety tips:

– Get involved with your Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) or CPF: Being involved does not mean you have to patrol and catch criminals; you can contribute by assisting with fundraisers, community projects, etc.

– Stay vigilant: Be on the lookout for anything that seems out of place.

– Report suspicious activity: Notify your NHW/CPF, security companies, or the police as soon as you observe any suspicious activity.

– Break routine: By breaking your routine, you make it difficult for criminals to establish patterns that could put you or your family in a vulnerable position.

– Stay informed: Keep up to date with local news and alerts to be aware of any potential threats or crime trends in your area.

– Use social media wisely: Don’t spread fake news. Confirm any warnings with your NHW/CPF management or security company before forwarding them to your contact list or community groups.

– Educate your family: Teach family members, especially children, and domestic employees about safety practices and how to report emergencies.

– Keep emergency contacts handy: Maintain an updated list of emergency contacts in an easily accessible place.

– Participate in community meetings: Attend NHW/CPF meetings to stay informed about local issues and crime prevention strategies.

– Build strong relationships: Establish strong relationships with your neighbours to help create a safer environment for everyone.

– Maintain your neighbourhood: Participate in neighbourhood cleanup projects and report any vandalism or property damage. A well-maintained neighbourhood can discourage criminal activity.

– Be cautious with strangers: Always be vigilant when approached by strangers. Don’t allow strangers into your home and report any suspicious door-to-door activity.

– Educate yourself on online scams: Before buying or selling products and services on social media platforms, such as WhatsApp groups or Facebook Marketplace, understand the risks involved and vet the buyer or seller.

Do you have more information about the story?

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