House robbers were on the roll when five houses got broken into on one day.
On Tuesday, August 14, five cases of house robberies were reported to the Witbank Police Station.
Houses from Highveld Park to Reyno Ridge were targeted.
It is alleged that at about 10:30 the owner of a house in Wellington Street, Highveld Park, left the house and ensured that all doors and windows were closed. When he returned he noticed that TV’s, watches and clothes were missing. It is clear that there was a house break-in.
Earlier that morning at about 06:30 a woman left her house and upon her return she also noticed that the house had been broken into and that some of her belongings was gone.
A household in Karee Street, Die Heuwel also suffered a loss when three TV’s, three cell phones and two play stations got stolen in a house break-in. It is believed that the intruder or intruders made their arrival between 06:30 and 14:45 as that were the times that the owner was not home. Members from the South African Community Crime Watch (SACCW) attended to this house once a callout was made.
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In Birkholtz Street, Del Judor, a house got broken into while the owner was away. It is alleged that the owner left the premises at about 12:00 and when he returned later that evening, he noticed that the house got broken into.
Robbers also left their mark in Erasmus Street, Reyno Ridge. It is believed that the owner of the house left the property at about 07:30.
He only returned at 14:45 and that was when he noticed something at the house was not right. He found his gate and front door wide open. He new something was wrong because he can recall locking everything up before he left. Upon investigation in his house he found that two of his televisions along with a blanket were missing.
No arrests have yet been made but police are still investigating these cases.
“There is a new modus operandi that housebreakings are taking place during the day when houses are unattended. The following crime prevention tips will help home owners to prevent housebreakings,” said Capt Eddie Hall Witbank SAPS spokesperson
Ensure that all doors are locked at all times and that windows are closed when you are not at home.
Large dogs serve as a deterrent. At least one dog should be trained to sleep inside the house.
If you leave your residence, inform your family/neighbours of your intended destination, time you expect to return and the route you will be driving, especially if you reside in a rural area.
Ensure that tools such as axes, spades, picks, ladders, etc that can be used in an attack, are locked away when you do not use them.
Vary your daily routine.
Get into the habit of not immediately falling asleep after switching off the lights.
Remain awake for a while.
You should not be visible in the bedroom from the outside when you are asleep.
Always keep a torch nearby at night and when you use it, ensure that you do not give away your position.
If you are unsure about the security status of your home after returning from work/a visit, eg your dogs do not come to the gate, do not enter your home.
Contact your neighbour to assist you in securing your home.
Identify relatively safe places of refuge, i.e.: bathroom, toilet or storeroom.
The fewer windows and doors these rooms have, the better.
Involve employees as they are part of the family/team.
Employees must be involved in maintaining security on an equal footing.
Report suspicious behaviour and information to the South African Police Service.
Clear the areas around the gates of bushes and other hiding places.
Take photographs of all employees.
It could be to your advantage to identify them, if required.
Remunerate your employees when useful information is provided that contribute to the prevention of crime.
Do not employ casual workers without a reference.
Keep copies of all your employees – Identity Documents (Id’s).
Ensure that you have a good relationship with your neighbours so that you will be in a good position to support and help each other.
Access and Key Control:
Do not allow strangers on your premises or in your house without having properly identifying the person, especially at night.
Implement proper key control measures.
Identify keys by means of codes instead of indicating in writing on labels to which gate/door access can be gained.
Keys to the safe must be kept on the person. Never hide any keys in traditional places, such as in pot plants or under doormats.
Keys in the keyhole on the inside of the front or back door should be turned to avoid easy removal. Never allow strangers to handle keys or look at key numbers. Change locks when keys are lost.
Insert barring devices in door locks. Remove keys from doors when leaving, concluded Capt Hall.
