Following another spike of recent incidents, Elsies River police are urging motorists to exercise extra caution when approaching smash-and-grab hotspots at various intersections in Elsies River.
Also read: City warns of increase in smash-and-grab ‘window shopping’
According to police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana, motorists should exercise vigilance when approaching ‘intersections along 35th Street and Owen Road, Avonwood and 35th Street, Epping Avenue and 35th Street, Norwood and Francie van Zyl, Halt Road and Voortrekker Road’.
Manyana added that SAPS is taking safety precautions while conducting frequent crime operations in the troubled area.
Police reports indicate that in most cases in Jakes Gerwel and Bofors Circle in the Elsies River area, cell phones are grabbed through open windows when left on dashboards or when stationary victims are speaking on their phones at intersections or robots.
Also read: CT police officer’s pistol stolen during smash-and-grab on Jakes Gerwel
‘Theft out of motor vehicles has also increased where the use of remote jamming devices could not be ruled out, due to no forced entry being noticeable,’ added Manyana.
Consequently, motorists are advised to lock valuable items, such as laptops, in the boot before departing for their destination.
‘Do not leave any items hidden underneath the front seats or in plain sight of your vehicle,’ said Mayana. ‘Be aware of surroundings and refrain from driving with valuables visible in vehicles. Make sure that all windows and doors of your vehicle are closed and locked before you walk away.’
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under R100 000. Find car listings here.
Meanwhile, Elsies River Community Police Forum (ERCPF) said smash-and-grab incidents continue to be a huge problem in the community.
In June last year, it was reported that ERCPF would run awareness campaigns and deploy neighbourhood watch members and Walking Bus volunteers to hotspots in the area. The initiatives were, however, halted when the City of Cape Town withdrew its funding, as per an ERCPF statement.
In light of recent incidents and the latest motorist warning from SAPS, criminal activist Imraahn Mukaddam of the ERCPF told the Daily Voice that more visibility is needed at the hotspots.
‘We want the City of Cape Town to release funds to employ locals, Neighbourhood Watch and former Walking Bus members to patrol these hotspots,’ the publication quoted Mukaddam as saying.
‘We believe that the community can break the scourge of this problem as they know the alleged perpetrators.’
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Let these great offers inspire you. Get them here.
Also read:
Picture: Jilbert Ebrahimi / Unsplash
