ATHLONE
41 Induland Cres. Lansdowne Ind. Since 1998
Supplier of a wide range of disposable packaging • All types of Paper, Plastic bags • Cake, Pizza, Party boxes • Serviettes, Garage, Toilet rolls • Cling, Bubble, Lunch wrap • Cutlery, Straws, Heatsealers
• Cups, Tubs, Lids • Fomo Trays, Plates • Foil Trays, Rolls • Platters, Domes • Detergents, etc
Tel: 021 691 8811 • Cell: 081 513 3152 E-mail: info@carlierpackaging.co.za
TUESDAY 1 September 2020 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za
@ThePeoplesPost
Free delivery
Conditions apply
People’s Post
CRIME
Reduce risk of attack SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS SAMANTHA.LEE@PEOPLESPOST.CO.ZA @SAMANTHA_LEE121
T
SEA SAVING ON LAND: Doctors at Tygerberg Hospital have developed an innovative way to keep themselves safe from Covid-19 by adapting and modifying snorkel masks. The masks, traditionally used for diving in tropical waters, provides better protection as it creates a tight seal covering the entire face. Read more on page 4.
he 2019/20 national crime statistics have indicated a decrease in overall contact crimes, although a slight decrease at 0.7% (621 282 cases). The Lansdowne police station serving Lansdowne and surrounds has shown larger decreases. In the Lansdowne police precinct, theft is a concern with general thefts clocking in at 730 cases, the most reported crime for the period. Common robbery is down by 13%, house robbery also decreased by 31%, however, business robbery increased by 22%. A further 557 cases of property-related crimes were reported in the precinct. This includes burglary at businesses and residential, theft of and theft out of vehicles. The precinct includes Lansdowne, Ottery, Rondebosch East and Wetton, among others. In June, the Community Policing Forum (CPF) noted a spike in property-related crimes and vehicle thefts and urged residents to remain vigilant. CPF spokesperson Shabirah Abdullah said housebreakings and vehicle thefts had risen compared to the same period last year. “The surge in vehicle-related thefts in the area is specifically targeted toward older vehicles parked on the street, or not behind a locked gate or garage,” she said at the time. Abdullah appealed to the community to be vigilant. “We advise all residents to take heed and protect their vehicles and to be alert when dogs are barking in the area. Residents must also be vigilant for potential intruders. We also strongly encourage everyone to comply with lockdown regulations,” she said. Police are, however, making inroads. In a recent incident in August, five suspects were arrested following a business robbery at a fast food outlet in Turfhall Road. The suspects threatened employees with firearms to open the safe and made off with cash. The cash was recovered and two unlicensed firearms were seized following investigations.
Another incident which occurred at a fruit and veg shop on Tuesday 25 August saw the arrest of a 38-year-old man. Lansdowne police spokesperson Sgt Nkululeko Mnyaka says three suspects entered the shop pretending to be customers. One bought a cooldrink when, suddenly, another took out a firearm and threatened the shop assistant. Two of the suspects then jumped over the counter, opened the till and removed cash. “A brave community member blocked the one suspect with the firearm at the door while two suspects jumped in a Toyota Corolla to escape the scene,” says Mnyaka. “Shaza security was quick to assist and the police arrived on the scene. The firearm was confiscated which turned out to be a gas gun.” The suspect was arrested and the other two are still at large. With crime patterns continuing to fluctuate in South Africa, there are ways to protect yourself from becoming a victim. Charnel Hattingh, national marketing and communications manager at Fidelity ADT, explains this involves knowing which situations make you vulnerable to a criminal attack and avoiding these at all costs. These include running out of fuel, carrying large amounts of cash and leaving doors or security gates unlocked. Hattingh says high-risk areas for running out of fuel is on the side of the highway – day or night – and on isolated roads. “Criminals lurk in close proximity of highways and strike easily as they can get away again quickly and have no fear of motorists stopping to chase them. Always ensure you have enough fuel. Taking a chance when the gauge is low could cost you your life,” she says. She says you cannot be too safe as you never know who at banks or ATMs are feeding thieves with information. “Criminals are often fed inside information and then follow customers who have a lot of money on them to and from banks. Transporting large amounts of cash is very risky, so avoid this wherever possible,” she says. V Continued on page 4.
R1500 R OFF yo our frame or lens enhancements Terms and Conditions apply