Businesses have been targeted over the past week and it has been advised that security procedures at businesses need to sharpen up.
On Sunday, October 11 it is alleged that at a construction site a security guard approached a white Mazda Drifter standing close to the yard.
Upon arrival, three males were standing outside the bakkie and when the security guard approached them they immediately pointed him with a firearm and demanded him to keep quiet while escorting them to the office.
Another security guard then was found at the office and was also instructed to keep quiet, their shoelaces were then removed, and they were tied up and left in the office.
The suspects left with a compressor and copper cables.
On Saturday, October 10 allegedly while on duty at a guest house the victim was robbed by four males that threatened her with a firearm.
The suspects searched the victim and the guest house and left with an undisclosed amount of money; no serious injuries were obtained.
On Friday, October 9 it is also alleged that while working in the mixing room of a paint shop a worker saw that an unknown man was in the room when the worker approached the man to tell him that no customers were allowed in the mixing room, the male told him that this is a robbery.
The suspect then took the worker to a room with other employees and customers.
The suspect then asked for safe keys and demanded money.
The suspects involved in the robbery left with money from the till.
Shots were fired but no serious injuries were obtained.
On the same day allegedly a clothing store was robbed by four unknown suspects that instructed all the employees with firearms to lie down in the store office.
The suspects took an undisclosed amount of money, a cell phone and clothing from the store.
Earlier in last week on Tuesday, October 6 allegedly a liquor store was also robbed.
One worker was busy in the store office when she heard people screaming and knew something was not right.
A male then entered armed and demanded cash from her.
She replied that there is no money in the office, the suspect then went to the tills and emptied all the tills and left the scene; no serious injuries were obtained.
After a dramatic increase in the number of business robberies the past week, Witbank Police wants to inform all businesses to implement the following security tips to protect their business against business robberies:
-Ensure that at least two employees open and close the business.
-Avoid releasing personal information to strangers.
-Ensure that purses and personal valuables are locked in desks or lockers.
-Mount a surveillance camera behind the cash register facing the front counter. # Make sure that video surveillance tapes are replaced regularly.
-Change times and routes of travel for bank deposits.
Avoid using marked ‘moneybags’ that make it obvious to criminals you are carrying cash.
-Always keep a low balance in the cash register.
-Bank excess money or keep in a safe or deposit it as soon as possible.
What to do during a business robbery:
-Co-operate with the robber for your safety and the safety of others.
-Comply with a suspect’s demands as resistance can cost you your life or the life of others.
-Try to remain calm and think clearly.
-Form mental notes of the robber’s physical description.
-Observe other signs and notes important for the police to create an identikit.
-If you have a remote panic alarm and can reach it without being noticed, use it.
-Remember that criminals are nervous just like you and any upset in their plans can result in them making stupid mistakes.
-If your business is robbed, don’t talk except to answer the robber’s questions.
-Avoid staring directly at the robber.
-Prevent surprises and keep your hands in sight at all times.
-Avoid any sudden movements.
-Don’t chase or follow the robber out of your place of business.
Be aware and alert at all times
-Know who is in your business and if possible, build up a relationship with your clientèle.
-Watch for loiterers who hang around without buying anything but are busy observing the premises.
-Be aware of suspicious vehicles and people that drive and hang around your business and report them immediately to the police. If possible, make a note of the registration, make and any other signs on the vehicle.
-Also give a good description of the people hanging around your business to the police.
-Ensure that your reception and sales counter can be seen clearly. Don’t put up advertisements, flyers, displays, signs, posters or other items on windows or doors that might obstruct the view of the register from inside or outside your business. The police patrolling your street need to be able to see inside the shop.
-Keep your business well-lit, inside and outside.
-Trim trees and bushes so that they don’t block any outdoor lights and serve as hiding places for criminals.
-Keep a remote panic in your hand.
-Maintain the amount of cash in registers low.
-Try to use only one register at night. Keep other registers empty and open. Also, tilt the register drawer to show there is no money in it.
