Motorists advised to guard against theft from vehicles at shopping centres

The incidents of theft out of motor vehicles are staggering with a disturbing increase in cases recently in Bloemfontein as thieves are striking at parking lots in various shopping malls around the City. According to situational analysis it is revealed that most of the incidents are due to negligence and sheer carelessness of some motorists. It has also been noted that an absence of vigilance exists with regard to criminal element that lie in wait.

As a result the police would like to issue warnings to the motorists to be extra careful when locking their vehicles and ensuring that they are in fact properly locked before they walk away. The police have also discovered a new trend and tactic that gives the thieves the opportunity to steal valuables out of various makes and models of vehicles without having to gain entry forcibly. Their modus operandi is that those criminals fool motorists into thinking that they have locked their vehicles simply by pressing the button on a gate remote to block the signal sent simultaneously from the vehicle`s keys by its owner which interferes with the locking mechanism frequency on your vehicle remote and your vehicle do not lock. As soon as you are out of sight, they then help themselves with any valuable items they want from your car without forced entry.

As it is a common knowledge that most people who are having vehicles with remote controls sometimes just press their remotes and turn away without looking or checking whether their vehicles are locked. These criminals are out there waiting and watching when you press your remote to lock your vehicle. They walk around in the parking bays as if they are ordinary people and nobody suspects them.

It is with this that we want to create public awareness so that people make sure that their vehicles are locked regardless of where a vehicle is parked even in the yard, make doubly certain that the central locking system is fully and properly activated, both visually and audibly. If you suspect that someone disturbs you during this procedures report the incident to the nearest police station.

At this stage we have increased police visibility at all identified hotspots and this resulted in arresting number of suspects and this showed that our strategies are paying dividends and therefore appealing to the motorists to start doing their part by protecting their properties.

These types of thefts are regarded as opportunistic crime and to avoid them the motorists are advised to take note of the following safety measures that must be adhered to at all times;

 Make sure that all doors and windows are properly locked when you park your vehicle.
 Motorist to physically ensure that doors are properly locked after activating the alarm.
 Valuable items such as laptops, cameras, cell phones, wallets and handbags should be put in the boot of your vehicle.
 Do not place valuables in the boot whilst people are watching and there is a tendency of suspects breaking rear windows and stealing such properties from the boot.
 At night park at well-lit street.
 Remove detachable radios or radio faces when parking your vehicle
 Parking lots with parking attendant or someone patrolling are the best.

Advice via SAPS

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Vehicle Theft and Car Insurance

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Motorists advised to guard against theft from vehicles at shopping centres