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Crime wave warning for restaurants and bars in South Africa-Malcolm Libera
Crime wave warning for restaurants and bars in South Africa
There has been a notable increase in criminals targeting patrons of bars or restaurants, especially during sports matches says Fidelity ADT, which urges residents to be vigilant when socialising and out at a restaurant or pub.
Criminals are targeting the patrons themselves (smartphones and wallets), as well as their cars and even their homes.
According to Charnel Hattingh, the group head of marketing and communications, a number of these incidents have been reported across the Fidelity ADT footprint in recent months.
“Patrons of a bar or restaurant are being targeted when watching sport. In our experience, criminals will take an opportunity when they see one.
“In the last week, there were 15 reported incidents alone. The reports included cell phone snatchings, stolen motor vehicles at public establishments, and break-ins at residential properties while the victims were out,” she said.
The suspects see an opportunity and are quick, in and out within minutes, taking cash out of the register or cellphones, wallets, etc., from the people socialising.
Hattingh noted the rise in these reports across various parts of Gauteng.
The security group also urged the establishments to be vigilant, ensure their CCTV is working, and remain vigilant for any suspicious activity.
South Africa has seen an increase in robbery and hijackings year-on-year, with some provinces experiencing a bigger jump in these crimes than others.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) latest quarterly crime states show that cases of ‘other serious crimes’ have increased by 2.7% in South Africa.
Other serious crimes include commercial crime, shoplifting, and other types of theft.
However, commercial crime has increased by a significant 17.3%, while shoplifting has risen by 4.8%.
Additionally, hijackings have increased by 6.5% year-on-year, and this equates to approximately 66 cars being stolen daily.
Burglaries at residential premises decreased by 4.4% year-on-year. However, compared to the second quarter of 2023, they increased by 6.8%.
Although robberies with aggravated circumstances at houses increased by only 1.7% year over year, they were up almost 5.2% from the second quarter.
This shows an increasing trend for both break-ins and robberies in South Africa.
Much like Fidelity ADT’s experience, the SAPS noted that South Africans living in the country’s most populated province (Gauteng) are the most vulnerable to these crimes, followed by the Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal.
source:Crime wave warning for restaurants and bars in South Africa – BusinessTech
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