HOME DELIVERY SAFETY TIPS

he latest South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics record that for the first three months this year, 354 trucks or courier vans were hijacked, representing a 24.6% increase from the same period last year. This is an average of four trucks or courier vans hijacked daily. These vehicles are targeted for their cargo, usually food, appliances and other highly priced goods.

More South Africans are buying online and getting goods delivered to their homes since the start of the Covid19 pandemic, so courier activities have increased. With most of the personnel unarmed and without training to deal with hijackings, they are soft targets.

Usually, courier vans carrying highvalue goods are specifically sought and targeted by syndicates.

However, there are also opportunistic incidents in residential areas. Either way, the situation is often violent and a threat to both delivery personnel and residents accepting deliveries.

Here are some tips to keep you, your families, and delivery personnel safe when you are expecting a home delivery: All clear

You wouldn’t normally invite strangers into your home, and the same applies with home deliveries. Before opening the door or gate, verify the person’s identification. Also, look for activity in the street that might indicate the courier van is being followed.

Plan ahead

When ordering goods online, you usually get a notification of delivery date and, sometimes, time.

This allows you to plan ahead, ensuring someone is home to accept the delivery.

Sometimes, depending on the supplier and what you’ve ordered, you can track delivery in real time. In other cases, the delivery personnel will phone you before arriving. Consider receiving the delivery inside your premises with the gate closed, particularly for big-ticket items that will attract attention, like a big screen TV.

Be aware

Be alert for suspicious people or vehicles throughout the delivery: check to see if the courier is being followed when they arrive, be vigilant while the delivery takes place, and ensue that no people/ vehicles are loitering in the street before they leave.

Savvy transactions

Often you pay for the goods before receiving them.

For deliveries such as a pizza delivery, you might pay with cash. Don’t flash the money during the delivery.

Try to avoid night deliveries as much as possible. Also, consider using a pick-up point elsewhere instead of home delivery.

Keep calm

In an emergency situation, remember your life is worth more than valuables, so keep calm and co-operate.

Get away from the situation as quickly as you can and report the incident as soon as possible.

Try to remember as much detail as possible to help police identify the criminals.