WHILE the festive season brings excitement and freedom, authorities are urging parents and guardians to remain vigilant and prioritise child safety during this period.

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Isipingo police station’s spokesperson, Constable Donald Naidoo, warned that crime involving children often increases when they are left unsupervised.

“Parents must make sure that an adult is present at all times or children are left under trustworthy supervision,” said Naidoo.

He added that children become easy targets when they walk with cellphones or gadgets openly displayed, making them vulnerable to robberies. Criminals also trick children by asking for help with their cellphones, only to steal them moments later.

He further cautioned that social media remains a major risk. Strangers may befriend children online, arrange meetings, and lure them into dangerous situations such as abductions or sexual assaults.

To curb these incidents, Naidoo highlighted ongoing crime-prevention operations and daily patrols across the Isipingo policing precincts. Weekly school awareness campaigns also address drugs, gangs, bullying, personal safety, and responsible social media use.

Isipingo Community Police Forum chairperson, Junaid Iqbal, emphasised the CPF’s role in community patrols and information sharing to keep children safe. He urged parents to always know where their children are and who they are with.

Isipingo SAPS Station Commander, Colonel Hensford Musa Zama, issued practical safety guidelines, including avoiding strangers, reporting suspicious encounters, sticking to well-lit areas, arranging meeting points when visiting busy places, and ensuring children memorise important contact information.

Vispol Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Derrick Cyril Cain, encouraged parents to monitor their children’s friends and social media activity. Any concerns can be reported to the nearest police station or by calling 0800 10111.

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