Police urged Bluff residents to be vigilant as property crimes expected to increase

BRIGHTON Beach police urge residents to be more vigilant as property crimes are expected to increase over the festive season.

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Captain Louise le Roux, the Brighton Beach police spokesperson, recently embarked on a festive season integrated public safety and educational initiative at the Bluff Towers Shopping Centre.

She said during the foot-beat, 300 auto-theft crime alert and 300 home invasion crime alert pamphlets were distributed.

“The initiative focused on educating residents on how to minimise becoming a victim or what to do if they are a victim of a property crime, such as a house burglary or robbery, as well as if their vehicles are stolen or broken into,” she said.

Here are some of the tips on how to minimise falling prey to property crimes and what do to do if you are a victim:

• Know your neighbours and exchange contact details with each other. This can assist if there are suspicious activities on your premises while you are not home. You will be able to deploy your security company or police to you home.
• Condition your family including domestic worker and gardener to ensure that security features are utilised optimally.
Securely close entrance gates when entering or exiting. This includes front and back door gates and those of outside building. This includes when the inhabitants exit the home for work, school or other purposes.
• Ensure that your fixed and panic alarm key rings are always in a functional condition. Ensure that every inhabitant of the residence is aware where these panic buttons are located.
• Make a mental note of the description of intruders. Focus on their shoes as perpetrator seldom discard their shoes when fleeing a scene of crime. Take note of their clothing, if possible, any insignia that is displayed. Focus on race, gender, and body aspects, including facial features.
• If a vehicle is used in the commission of a crime, take note of the colour, make and model. Try to memorise the first three digits of the number plate and any other features such as visible breakages and insignia.
• When in a house robbery situation comply with the instruction of the perpetrators. Do not lie to them, or make sudden moves, this will aggravate them, and they will not hesitate to assault or kill you.
• To enable the police to promptly respond to your call for assistance, it is imperative that your house number is clearly visible, this includes after sunset.

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