Opportunistic crimes thorn in crime fighters’ side
PLETTENBERG BAY - Opportunistic crimes have become a thorn in crime fighters’ side in Plettenberg Bay over the past month.
Local police revealed during a crime stakeholder meeting - which includes feedback to various crime fighters in Bitou - that several opportunistic crimes where criminals gained access to homes through open doors or windows, had been reported over the past month. Lisa Nagel of the neighbourhood watch group Plett.Watch said other crimes reported include theft out of motor vehicles, housebreaking and business burglaries. There were also incidents of common assault in Beachyhead Drive and Main Street.
Most of these crimes were committed between 15:00 and 18:00 and again between 20:00 and 23:00. The areas most affected were Maplin Drive, Piesang Valley Road, Longships, Beachyhead and Eddystone Drive and areas surrounding these streets. “The method used was mostly forced entry - breaking windows and forcing doors open,” Nagel said.
She added that there had also been several incidents of opportunistic crime, including entering open doors and windows, stealing copper taps and pipes, and possessions not locked up in properties.
“This [could have been done] by scouters and
A handbag that was snatched through an open window. loiterers walking around and seeing easy pickings.”
One such incident happened recently when an elderly Kranshoek resident's handbag was snatched through an open window. Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier said a suspect stuck a long pole through the window and coaxed the bag through the window before fleeing the scene. Thanks to the Kranshoek Rapid Response team, the suspect was apprehended and the bag returned to the victim.
In another incident, a suspect jumped over a fence and stole holidaymakers' cellphones, camera and other items. These were also recovered and handed back to the owners.
Nagel urged residents to make a point of reporting all crimes and to check all windows, doors and other entry points before going to bed or leaving the house. “Ensure your house is secure at all times.
Items stolen by a suspect who jumped over a fence.
“Criminals will spot open windows and doors and wait until you go to sleep or leave your property, and they will enter in a snap.
“Make sure your alarm is activated, and your beams are on. Speak to your security company and get them to set zones on your system.”
She also advised that if anyone suspects that there is an intruder on their property, they should switch on all lights, press the security panic button and report it on a crime-fighting group to alert neighbours.
“When arriving at, or leaving your home, please be extra vigilant of people hanging around, who may enter your property. If you feel unsafe, call your security company immediately and do not exit your vehicle until help arrives,” she said.
“When seeing people off from your property, be very aware of your surroundings and ensure that you enter your house at the same time as your guests leave. You will be vulnerable if you are alone outside when your guests leave. Sadly, criminals with intent will be watching your every move.”