Spike in gate motor thefts alarms Lyttelton community

Residents in Lyttelton are urged to remain vigilant and take steps to secure their gate motors as theft of these devices continues to rise in the area.

This comes after multiple gate motor thefts were reported in and around Lyttelton, prompting concern from residents and private security companies.

Lyttelton Sector 2 CPF chairperson Merle van Staden confirmed that they are aware of the recent increase in theft and have responded with action.

“We are aware of the recent increase in gate motor thefts affecting Lyttelton and surrounding areas,” she said.

In response to this concerning trend, she said multiple day and night operations have been carried out in collaboration with local security companies and the SAPS.

She noted that these coordinated efforts have already resulted in successful arrests.

“These efforts demonstrate the effectiveness of joint community and law enforcement action.”

She also stressed the importance of remaining alert.

“We urge the community to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity without delay,” said Van Staden.

She encouraged residents to join local WhatsApp channels and groups for real-time updates.

Residents who wish to be added to these platforms can contact the Lyttelton Sector 2 Joint Operations Centre at 066 656 7375.

Van Staden also offered advice for those who fall victim to gate motor theft.

She urged them to report the theft immediately to the police and request a case number, share any available video footage and relevant details with the allocated detective, and notify both their CPF and security service provider.

“Together, with active community involvement and support, we can combat this crime trend and make our suburbs safer for all,” she said.

One of the many residents who was affected by this crime is property owner Lukas Etsebeth, who owns a home on South Street in Lyttelton Manor.

Etsebeth said this is not the first time he has experienced gate motor theft, with the most recent theft taking place on July 13.

“It’s around about the fifth time. The first one was in 2018. I’ve had a few stolen at my rental property, and then at my own property, a gate motor was stolen,” he said.

“The house is quite far into the property, and the tenants were sleeping in the back rooms, so they didn’t hear anything.

“They only saw that the gate motor had been stolen when they were about to leave around 10:00.

“There was another theft on Selborne Avenue a couple of weeks prior to the theft at my rental property. If I remember correctly, around three or four motors were stolen in the street alone. This is a serious concern.”

In May, Group Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity ADT, Charnel Hattingh, announced that theft of gate motors has become a growing concern across Gauteng.

“Criminals are targeting homes, and there have been multiple reports of stolen gate motors,” she said.

Hattingh confirmed this is a growing trend in the area and pointed to a thriving black market for gate motor parts.

“Stolen gate motors are either stripped down, and their various components, like batteries and gearboxes, are sold individually, or they are sold as complete units to unsuspecting homeowners by these ‘access automation bandits’, as they are often referred to,” she said.

Hattingh warned of a worrying trend where suspects deactivate the gate motor and access properties while the system is on manual override.

Hatting and Van Staden shared these tips to help residents protect themselves from gate motor theft and home invasions:

– Hide or shield the motor and rack from street view
– Mount the gate motor securely using tamper-proof bolts or base plates
– Use an anti-lift bracket on the motor
– Install motion sensor lights, infrared beams, or alarm systems at the gate
– Weld a piece of flat bar onto the gate rack to prevent thieves from bending the rack upwards
– Combine mechanical anti-theft systems with electronic devices, such as sound bombs
– Install a cellphone-based system that sends alerts when tampered with.

Hattingh added, “Your electric gate should be one of the first perimeter deterrents to protect you from crime.

“Activate early-warning systems such as garden beams and electric fencing and ensure these are linked to armed response.”

Rekord reached out to police for comment regarding gate motor thefts in the Lyttelton area, but none was received by the time of publication.

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