Residents in the Joburg East suburbs are encouraged to be more vigilant due to the high rate of house robberies that are apparently taking place in their suburbs.
The Joburg East cluster police issued a statement on 23 November with tips on how residents can avoid becoming victims of this heinous crime.
Read: Jeppe police arrest two suspects for robbing own employer
Police have cited suburbs like Parkhurst, Bezzvalley, Kensington and areas such as Hillbrow and Rosebank as the most targeted. However, the spokesperson for the Joburg East cluster police, Captain Richard Munyai, said it is not only the mentioned areas that are affected but all areas under the Joburg East cluster.
“There has been a spate of house robberies… recently and we would like to warn residents to be vigilant at all times,” said Munyai.
“This message is directed to all the residents who live in the Joburg East cluster police stations comprising of Cleveland, Hillbrow, Jeppe, Norwood, Parkview, Rosebank and Yeoville.”
Read: Crime in Yeoville drops
Residents should keep the following in mind:
- Always be aware of people you don’t know who are walking up and down the streets
- Know your employees, especially domestic workers. You should know who they are and where they come from, who their next of kin are
- Know all your police station contacts numbers including the client service centre and sector managers
- Install security gates, burglar-proof your house and make sure it’s always locked
- Do not open for strangers, ensure family members have a key or remote to open and lock the gates and doors
- Get panic buttons and create a street group. Everyone in the group should have a whistle to alert neighbours if they are being attacked or when they suspect their neighbour is in trouble
- Establish street committees and employ the services of street patrollers along your streets
- If only elderly people live in a house, inform your police station so that they can visit your house regularly
- Report suspicious looking people who walk or drive along the streets.
Details: Joburg East police cluster 011 624 6042.
