The latest crime statistics released by the South African Police Services (SAPS) showed an increase in rape and other robberies in Gauteng, highlighting the need for continued vigilance when it comes to protecting yourself at home and on the road.
Presenting the latest data, police minister Bheki Cele says the numbers represent the crimes committed between level 1 and adjusted level 3 lockdown, which came into effect on 15 December.
He says the statistics have exposed some of the gaps that exist in certain policing categories, as well as some of the policing shortcomings experienced in certain provinces. “The national crime statistics from October to December 2020 do not paint a good picture, and hence force us as the SAPS to dig deep and put the shoulder to the wheel.”
National data published by SAPS shows an increase of 1.3% in residential robberies, and a decrease of 6.9% in business robberies compared to the same period last year.
Charnel Hattingh, head of marketing and communications for Fidelity ADT, says the security company recorded 33 incidents in the north of Johannesburg alone.
Bryanston, Petervale, Paulshof and Wendywood recorded the highest numbers of armed robberies.
In addition, there have been sixteen recorded incidents in Bryanston and surrounding areas, ten in Wendywood areas and surrounds, and seven in the Fourways and surrounding areas.
Hattingh says it was particularly concerning that the majority of these incidents involved armed suspects.
“We can see that in a number of instances people have forgotten to arm their systems, or put on their beams. There is also a worrying trend of gates being left open. That is a problem as it is a homeowner’s first line of defence. In other instances, we have found that criminals find a weak point in the perimeter security where the electric fence is not working or the gates are not locked for example," she says.
“The crime stats are a reminder that looking after our personal safety, and that of our loved ones, should remain a top priority. Investing in further home and vehicle security and keeping up to date to crime trends can help you avoid becoming a victim of these often opportunistic crimes,” says Maanda Tshifularo, Head of Dialdirect.
According to Tshifularo, these are practical ways to avoid becoming a victim of a home robbery:
1. Install an electric fence on the perimeter of your property, and an alarm system with sensors to warn you.
2. Draw the curtains at night to avoid perpetrators monitoring your movement.
3. Use access gates that don’t require you getting out of your car to open them, as this makes you an easy target for criminals. Also, be sure to look out for any suspicious vehicles or individuals when entering your property.
4. When possible, mix up your daily routine to make it less predictable for criminals to know when you’ll be home.
5. Don’t tempt criminals by leaving things like lawnmowers and vehicles outside for extended periods of time.
6. Cut away tree branches and remove objects like garden tools that could be used as leverage for getting into the house.
7. Notify your security company when you won’t be at home for extended periods of time.
READ | Cost-effective ways to improve your driveway gate’s security
Preparing your home for smartness
Further to basic home security, people also want more efficient, smart technologies homes - which improves the resale value of your property considerably.
SEE | Security must-knows for smart homes and the ‘Internet of Things’
The benefits also extend beyond just home security, to include energy efficiency and systems user functionality. "These can all be controlled from a phone or other mobile devices, allowing remote users to activate alarms, set zones or even check out movement within their property," says Vera Nagtegaal, the executive head of Hippo.co.za.
Configuring your home security is a crucial smart home step. Install smart cameras, smart locks, and smart sensors to complement smart lights in keeping your home safe. You will then be using an app on your smartphone to control and monitor the smart security features in your home.
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