10 ways you are vulnerable to crime

CRIME in South Africa is a daily reality, and anyone can become a victim.
Security experts say there are some simple ways to prevent falling victim to crime.

“Criminals are on the lookout for easy targets.

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If you come across as distracted or vulnerable, there is a real chance criminals will target you. Crime is often opportunistic in nature, but this means you can do a few things to remove that opportunity,” said Charnel Hattingh of Fidelity ADT.

10 ways you could become a target

1. Running out of fuel
Very high-risk areas are on the side of the highway day or night and on isolated roads. Criminals lurk in close proximity to highways and strike easily as they can get away again quickly. Always ensure you have enough fuel.

2. Carrying cash
Criminals are often fed inside information and follow customers who have a lot of money on them to and from banks. Transporting large amounts of cash is very risky, so avoid this wherever possible.

3. Being unobservant at your gate or driveway
Hijackings and armed robberies are seldom opportunistic. Criminals study routines and plan their crimes around this. If you have been targeted, you are extremely vulnerable at your gate and in your driveway. Always check for people or cars that look out of place when you turn into your street and don’t pull directly up to the gate before it is completely open. Stay in your car with the doors locked until the gate is closed. Carry a remote panic in your car.

4. Flashing cash, jewellery, and your phone
Opportunistic criminals are everywhere. Pricey jewellery, especially watches, are a criminal’s dream. Keep your phone and money out of sight and leave expensive jewellery at home when you head to the shops.

5. Opening for strangers
Never open the gate to someone you don’t know, no matter what their story is. Criminals often pose as council workers, service providers and even police officers. Be suspicious if you are not expecting anyone.

6. Employing people without background checks
This is tantamount to giving a stranger access to your property and home. Only employ staff through a reputable agency or word-of-mouth, always conduct a criminal check on the person and request copies of their ID.

7. Leaving doors and security gates unlocked
This leaves your entire family vulnerable. Security gates should always be locked, and the keys placed out of reach.

8. Waiting in isolated areas
This is a scenario opportunistic criminals will take advantage of. The more isolated the area, the more likely the crime can turn violent. Criminals hanging around isolated areas often operate in groups too.

9. Driving with valuables
There is a beggar on every street corner and many of them are simply there to look for an opportunity to smash a car window to steal something valuable. Your phone, handbag, wallet, and laptop must be always out of sight. The safest place is the boot.

10. Not checking car doors are locked
Remote jamming is still commonplace, especially at shopping centres and garages. Always double check the car doors are locked before you walk away. It is not only the fact that criminals can otherwise get in and steal your valuables or your car, they could hide in your car too and wait for you to get back before forcing you to take them to an ATM to withdraw money, or worse.

Hattingh hopes these tips will make a real difference in people’s lives: “Remember there are many organisations and role players ready to come to your aid when something goes wrong. Please keep the names and numbers of the stakeholders in your community saved on your phone.”

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