Police station ranked worst in Pretoria for car theft calls on motorists and businesses for help
Brooklyn policing precinct has received a high number of reports on vehicle and motorcycle theft which have spiked by 29.6% and theft out or from vehicles by 39% in the second quarter of the 2023/24 police statistics.
Police in the country’s number one-ranked area for theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles are pleading with motorists and businesses to sharpen up and get involved to counteract this threat.
Brooklyn police in the east of Pretoria are concerned over the spike in vehicle theft and are advising vehicle owners and businesses in the precinct to practise safety precautions.
The Brooklyn Police Station was ranked number one nationally for the theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles, after 232 incidents were recorded between July 1 and September 30, compared to 179 in the same quarter last year.
The station serves 28 suburbs, including Brooklyn, Hatfield, Lynnwood North, Alphen Park, Menlyn, Hazelwood, Menlo Park, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Waterkloof and Newlands.
The precinct comprises student residences, shopping centres, sports facilities, university institutions, restaurants and bars.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Baloyi said Brooklyn was experiencing a surge in the theft of motor vehicles and urged the public to practise caution when leaving their vehicles unattended.
Baloyi warned that while no specific time frames had been identified, most theft occurred during the day, with the weekends recording higher rates.
“Car thieves often target parking areas at shopping centres, smaller businesses, residential areas, schools and churches. There is a significant rise in motor vehicle theft incidents at restaurants.”
Baloyi said however to boost security, motorists need to get involved and take safety precautions to assist police decrease this kind of theft.
“Community members are urged to report suspicious vehicles and individuals loitering around without apparent purpose in their areas to the SAPS.”
He said the security officers and car guards at businesses and shopping centres also had to remain vigilant when they spotted an occupied parked vehicle.
“The occupants may be actively scouting the area for possible targets.
“If suspicious activities are observed, contact the SAPS immediately on 10111. Provide detailed information, including the vehicle type, number plate, colour, number of occupants, time, address and direction of escape.”
He provided the following safety tips:
– Motorists are requested to choose well-lit and visible parking spots. Paid secure parking at hospitals, gyms, restaurants and shopping centers is recommended over free pavement parking.
– Motorists should inquire with the metro police’s pound to confirm whether their vehicle has not been impounded due to a traffic offence. A case was reported in which a motorist claimed that his vehicle was stolen over the weekend, but it had actually been impounded.
– Businesses should enhance security such as installing CCTV cameras, fence and employ guards.
– Residents are urged to lock all parked vehicles inside the yard or garage, and encourage their guests to do the same.
– Students should utilise free park-and-drive facilities provided by the University of Pretoria to prevent theft and avoid fines for parking offences.
– Motorists should consider installing extra security devices to deter criminals and to make vehicle theft more challenging.
He also said Brooklyn was intensifying police visibility and operations during the festive season to combat vehicle theft and other crimes.
Brooklyn’s crime figures for the period from July 1 to September 30 show that it remains the most troubled police station in the east of Pretoria.
The precinct has been ranked number 14 on the list of seriously crime-plagued areas in South African.
The station has remained among the top 30 most troubled police stations for several years and this year, in the first quarter – April to June – it ranked first in the theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle category and 17th for theft out of motor vehicles.
In the second quarter, it ranked first in the country and fourth in Gauteng for serious community crimes, according to national crime figures for cases reported between July 1 to September 30 announced by police minister General Bheki Cele.
Brooklyn has received a high number of reports of burglaries at non-residential premises, theft, fraud and sexual offences, as well of vehicle and motorcycle theft.
In the second quarter, theft out of motor vehicles spiked by 39.%, compared to last year, while theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles increased by 29.6%, and theft out or from vehicles by 39 %.
These statistics have been derived from comparing the same three-month period from July 1 to September 30 of each year.
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