Theft out of motor vehicles a concern in Sandton
The Sandton Community Policing Forum (CPF) has raised alarms over a growing number of theft out of motor vehicle incidents across the precinct.
Sandton residents and visitors are being urged to remain vigilant following a rise in theft out of motor vehicle incidents across the precinct.
The Sandton Community Policing Forum (CPF) expressed serious concern over the increase, citing reports from SAPS Sandton, private security companies, and other community safety partners that show these crimes remain among the most common affecting the area.
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Criminals are targeting vehicles at shopping centres, parking lots, and fuel stations, particularly in the afternoons and evenings between 15:00 and 21:00.
Suspects often use remote jamming devices or take advantage of unlocked doors to steal laptops, handbags, and other valuables, sometimes in under a minute.
According to the CPF, the majority of incidents are concentrated in Bryanston and Petervale, Rivonia and Morningside, Sunninghill and Paulshof, Woodmead and Kramerville, Sandton CBD, Sandown and Benmore, as well as Buccleuch and Kelvin.
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The hotspots include retail and restaurant parking areas, shopping centres, fuel stations, major retail nodes, business complexes, and high-traffic commercial and residential clusters.
Residents are advised to check that all doors and windows are locked, avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, and place items in the boot before leaving home.
The CPF also recommends remaining alert at shopping centres, fuel stations, carwashes, and open parking areas, and reporting suspicious activity immediately to security or SAPS on 10111.
Roshan Byjnal, the public relations officer for the Sandton CPF, said, “Community vigilance and partnership remain key to reducing these crimes. Together, we can make Sandton safer.”
The CPF, in collaboration with SAPS Sandton and private security providers, continues to prioritise these incidents through focused patrols and hotspot monitoring.
Shopping centre management and fuel station operators are also urged to ensure visible security, operational CCTV, active access control, and preventative measures such as jamming detectors.
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