Increase in vehicle hijackings

Johannesburg - Vehicle crime statistics for the July to December 2021 period by Tracker reveal changes in vehicle crime.

Tracker says in the past three years hijacking had overtaken theft in vehicle crime activities. The statistics, recorded from over a million installed vehicle base, indicate that hijacking attributed 57,5% of vehicle crime activities for the second half of 2021; reversal compared to July to December 2018, when theft was 57. 2%.

“There is an increase in vehicles being targeted for their contents, particularly consumable goods and large amounts of cash. Tracker data indicates that more vehicles are hijacked on Thursdays, followed by Tuesdays, often between 4pm and 8pm. However, the difference is marginal, meaning that hijacking can happen on any day and at any time. Tracker’s efforts resulted in 3 144 vehicle recoveries, 337 arrests and 22 firearms recovered for the six-month period under review.”

Tracker chief operations officer Duma Ngcobo says these days it is more difficult to steal a vehicle that is locked, armed and in a secure location, versus one that is out on the road and operating.

“We require collaborative effort between private security and law enforcement agencies to tackle vehicle crime, and break the backbone of all crime to create a safer