GEORGE NEWS - The CBD seems to have become a hotspot for thieves and pickpockets. This is according to some of the statistics that Lt-Col Mario Charles presented at the 2019 anti-crime summit held in George on Tuesday and Wednesday.
According to Charles, most business burglaries in the CBD occur on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 15:00 and 17:00. Theft of motor vehicles peak on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at approximately 20:00.
Goods get stolen out of motor vehicles most on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 17:00, while shoplifters are at their most active on Fridays and Saturdays at 13:00.
Read more detailed local break-down of the 2017/2018 crime statistics on the George Herald's website.
From the entire Eden Cluster, George police station sees the most business burglaries and theft of goods from cars.
Tips to prevent thieves stealing goods out of your car
- Ensure that your car is locked by checking the doors physically, even though you may hear the cues that your alarm or lock has been activated;
- Lock your car manually with the key;
- Be wary of people loitering in the parking area;
- Be on the lookout for unusual plastic or metal boxes, roughly the size and shape of a portable two-way radio that have four antennas;
- Do not leave valuable items in your vehicle or in full view of others;
- Do not leave any windows or sunroofs open;
- Do not move valuable items to the vehicle's boot in full view of other people;
- Always be aware of your surroundings and other people around you.
Robbery prevention tips for businesses
- 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 money bags that make it obvious to criminals that you are carrying cash;
- Always keep a low balance in the cash register;
- Bank excess money or lock it in a safe as soon as possible.
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