Tips on what to do during a mall robbery
Fidelity ADT spokesperson Charnel Hattingh has urged shoppers not to carry large amounts of cash when shopping during this festive season.
With busy retail times during the festive season, the risk of shopping centre robberies will be on the increase and knowing what to do during the robbery becomes important, security companies have reported.
According to Fidelity ADT head of marketing Charnel Hattingh, staying calm was one of the golden rules when caught in the middle of a robbery.
Hattingh cautioned shoppers to remain vigilant at all times, and to always be on the lookout for any suspicious activities and to be aware of the people around them.
“Crime is becoming more sophisticated, with inside information playing an increasingly prominent role. Whether you were in the store being robbed, or just witnessed the incident, you should seek counselling, regardless of how you might feel. It often takes some time to experience and deal with the post-traumatic stress following such robberies,” she said.
Pretoria-based Bull security company spokesperson French Jooste said in the past two months, armed robberies at cellphone and jewellery stores robberies in the east of Pretoria have been on the uptake and a surge in robberies this time of year was anticipated.
“These criminals don’t care if there are people inside the mall or shop, they will hit any time of day and are heavily armed and dangerous. Never try to confront these criminals. These criminals come in large numbers – normally eight to 10 individuals,” Jooste warned.
Jooste said criminals in shopping centres would walk behind a person they were targeting and “accidentally” bump them and quickly snatch a wallet or cellphone out of the handbag.
“The incidents happen daily. Always make sure that your handbag is zipped,” he said.
“There is also a very big spike in vehicle jamming incidents happening in the shopping mall parking areas around Pretoria east. These criminals will sit in the parking area waiting for you to exit your vehicle. The moment you walk away they will jam the signal which then prevents your vehicle from locking.
“When exiting your vehicle make sure that the doors are locked. Walk around and feel every door. If you notice that you are struggling to lock your vehicle inform security immediately.”
CSI security spokesperson Dana Bloem said alongside cellphone shops, criminals were also targeting cigarettes stores this season.
“When in a mall, make sure you do not flash cash. Always try to do card transfers or card transactions.”
Hattingh provided a few tips of what people can do during a mall robbery:
– Co-operate with robbers for your own safety. Listen to their instructions closely and follow their instructions.
– Try and keep as calm as possible. Everyone reacts in a different way but try and breathe deeply until help arrives.
– Do not use your cellphone while the robbery is in process, this could agitate the assailants.
– Immediately try and find a sheltered spot and keep low to the ground.
– Take note of the assailants to pass information onto the authorities: any distinctive clothes, markings, jewellery, etc. Try and remember what they look like, height, weight, etc.
– Ensure your children are kept close to you at all times. Do not let children wander off while you are shopping.
– Do not shop with large amounts of cash or valuables.
Last month, police minister Bheki Cele warned that approaching the festive season, criminals were trying to make up for the time lost during the “crime holiday” experienced in the first quarter of this year.
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