Students urged to be safe after mugging
"It’s very important however that you do open a case with the police so that these criminals can be removed from the streets," Hattingh added.
A recent mugging in the east of Pretoria has led to a private security company warning residents to be careful.
A Pretoria resident was mugged in Hatfield near the Gautrain station on Friday around noon.
The University of Pretoria (UP) student, who did not want to be named for fear of intimidation, told Rekord she reported the incident to the Brooklyn police station.
Charnel Hattingh spokesperson of the ADT Fidelity security company issued a warning to residents to be vigilant.
“It’s very important that victims do open a case with the police so that these criminals can be removed from the street,” Hattingh added.
Hattingh said the following safety instructions are not only for students but for Pretoria residents also.
How to avoid being robbed or mugged:
– Residents must keep their valuables out of sight at all times but make sure they can get to their cellphones quickly if they need to.
– Residents should avoid using headphones because they will dampen their ability to sense their surroundings.
“People should always be alert.”
– The community should always use a route that is well-lit and populated with houses and other walkers instead of taking shortcuts through less-friendly areas.
– If a person feels threatened, knock on someone’s door for help.
Hattingh also provided some tips specifically for students:
– Students must always lock their residence doors, even when they are in their rooms.
– Students should report suspicious persons they may see in residence or office corridors.
– Students must never open doors to strangers.
– If students have lost their residence key, they must report it immediately and have the locks changed.
– They must never disclose their address on their keyrings.
– Keep all valuables including cash locked in a safe.
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