Criminals in South Africa are now more desperate than ever! During the height of the Covid Pandemic their normal sources of illicit income were not ‘out and about’ - they sought other ways to commit crimes and have modified their methods. Expect to see more burglaries and attacks on homes, cars and business premises. Ensure that locking up is done with even more care and vigilance than ever!
Holiday Security
Dishonest people work 24/7! They are always on the look-out for the weak-link in your chain. Thieves, fraudsters, robbers and hi-jackers don’t stop to smell the coffee, or to sip Pina Coladas – they keep on robbing and stealing! Do not say ‘It won’t happen to me.’ If you don’t take special care – you or your family could be victims. Take all reasonable care not to create opportunities for criminals! Our Holiday Season is their High Season as well. Don't walk with handbags swinging or with laptops, cellphones or jewelry in plain sight. "Holiday thieves"are usually looking for easy targets
Every Day Security
Apart from the habitual criminals, and the drug-crazed and desperate ones we may encounter, also beware of two types of criminals who may target your home, business or vehicles:
The Planner: The planner is the criminal who has watched your premises, on average for up to 2 weeks, and knows something about the premises, the habits, and the people coming and going from your home or business and their routines. This criminal will have looked at the weaknesses in your security and worked out the best way to attack you or your property.
The Opportunist: The opportunistic criminal is one who may not have got out of bed this morning with the intention of committing a crime, but may be tempted by the handbag or laptop on the seat of your car, or the article left in the window or the garden – visible from the street. We have only ourselves to blame if we fall victim to this type of crime.
DONT disclose any passwords or banking details to ANYONE – EVER!!
Make sure you know where your keys, wallet and credit cards are at all times, and do NOT let them out of your site EVER!
Fit GOOD LOCKS to all external doors. Read Cylinder Locks preferred– to understand the advantages and so that you can easily change cylinders in minutes when keys are lost or stolen.
KNOW who has keys to your doors!! Fit cylinders with registered keys that can not be copied by conventional means. See Astral Tekno S01 and C3000 T06 for more information on special key profiles exclusive to The Lockshop
Send pictures of your doors: Email info@lockshop.co.za or Whatsapp to +27 (0)84 200 1555
or talk to the Loxperts on +27 (0)21 555 1720 to discuss your specific requirements.
Hijackings
Statistics show that most hijackings happen in driveways. If the hijacker is successful – he gets your car, your wallet and credit cards, the keys to your house and/or business, and possibly also access to your family.
If you have a motorized gate and a motorized garage door, never have both of them open at the same time – because this is the ideal fast-track for the criminal to take control of the situation.
Concentrate on the road and your environment as you approach your driveway. Do not have music playing or talk on your cellphone when entering or leaving the premises.
If you feel you are being followed or another car is driving too close behind you – it is usually best not to open the driveway gate at all. Rather drive around the block or to the nearest police station or public place.
Wait for the motor-gate to close fully behind you, and do not open the garage door until you have verified that no one has followed you through the gate.
Do not try to be a hero – but rather ensure that you are a survivor.
The Lockshop advise you to be vigilant at all times, and to always lock-up properly and carefully.
When locking your vehicle – DONT just press the button and walk away – TEST the doors to be sure that your lock-up signal has not been jammed by criminals waiting to steal our possessions.
Don’t leave things lying visible in windows or in your car.
Kidnapping has become more prevalent
Due to the fact that kidnappers are always armed - this type of crime can take place anywhere. Be extremely vigilant when you or your passengers are entering or leaving a vehicle or premises. Observe ALL the precautions shown under Hijackings above, and above all else - don't think "it can't happen to me". The kidnapper/robber or hijacker doesn't know how special you are - they will evaluate you only on what you or your possessions are worth!
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