Police share tips to help curb robberies
Captain Louise Le Roux has issued safety tips to help residents minimise the risk of becoming a robbery victim.
ROBBERY within the Brighton Beach (BB) policing precinct remains rife with Clairwood and the Bluff being the most affected areas and according to the police, these incidents take place daily.
Perpetrators often act alone while some incidents having more than one perpetrator forcefully taking mobile devices, jewellery, cash and handbags from unsuspecting victims.
“Robbery from a person is the taking another person’s property by force or threat of violence. A confrontation between the victim and perpetrator takes place.”
“Muggers try to frighten or intimidate their victims to gain physical and psychological control over them to take their personal belongings,” said Brighton Beach SAPS’ corporate communications officer, Captain Louise le Roux, who recently held a flyer campaign to sensitise residents and visitors to the policing area about the prevailing crime trend.
The following guidelines to minimise the risk of falling prey to this crime was researched and published by the captain:
Safety guidelines
– Pay attention to your surroundings and avoid distractions.
– Walk near the curb, on the side closest to and facing oncoming traffic. This decreases the risk of someone in a car coming from behind and grabbing you or your bag and gives you a better angle to see into doorway alleys and a better path to escape if attacked.
– Do not walk in the street while texting, talking on your phone, or listening to music through headphones or an earpiece.
– If confronted by perpetrators adhere to their requests. Do not challenge them, instead, hand over the demanded items. They will not hesitate to hurt you to get what they want.
– Do not use bushy areas or stairways, rather use a public road.
– Do not wear expensive jewellery as bling attracts criminals.
– Avoid the dangerous parts of an area, especially at night, places with less foot traffic are especially risky.
– Do not walk in the street while intoxicated.
– Avoid carrying large amounts of cash on your person, rather utilise debit card facilities or make use of electronic funds transfer (EFT).
– Do not carry paperwork with you that reveal your personal details.
– If visiting a new location, find out in advance the safest and quickest route prior to departure.
– Do not carry any identification tags attached to your house keys such as your physical address or mobile number.
– If you predominantly travel by foot, attach a whistle to your handbag or belt to which you have easy access to. Blow short, yet loud breaths through your whistle this will serve as an alarm and attract attention towards yourself as a call for help.
– Always take a peep over your shoulder, alternate just to make sure you are not being followed. If you suspect that you are being followed change direction, move towards a group of people or enter a shopping complex.
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