As many Western Cape holidaymakers leave their homes over the festive period, security experts have raised the alarm against house burglaries.
House burglaries increased by nearly 1000 in three months this year compared to the same period last year. According to SAPS statistics there were 6291 burglaries at residential premises between July and September 2021, in comparison to 7078 over the same period of 2022.
Institute for Security Studies (ISS) manager of Crime and Justice Information, Lizette Lancaster, quoted SAPS’s 2019/20 crime report saying: ‘The most targeted items during robbery of residential premises were jewellery, firearms, cash and household appliances.’“
“These crimes (burglaries) occur in the absence of the victim or under circumstances in which the victim is unaware of the crime being committed at the time (no person is directly or immediately harmed or threatened during the commission of such a crime).”
Lancaster explained that there was a difference between house burglaries and house robberies. Burglaries refer to a non-violent property crime, whereas a robbery is considered a violent property crime.
While there was an increase in house burglaries, statistics showed there was a decrease in house robberies in the Western Cape.
Crime statistics revealed there were 706 robberies recorded between July and September 2021 and the number stands at 623 for the same period this year.
“The category includes burglary at residential premises until recently, house breakings have been decreasing year-on-year, while house robberies have been increasing for most years since 2011.”
Cyril Jilander, operations manager at City Bowl Armed Response, shared crime statistics reported to them since the beginning of the festive season.
The data shows the most common point of entry in a house burglary was through breaking a window or a sliding door. The statistics also prove the common goods stolen were electronics, mostly laptops.
In comparison to 2021, City Bowl Armed Response had received five house break-in reports and received just two in 2022.
Christiaan Beirowski, branch manager of Red Alert in Cape Town, shared tips with on how holidaymakers can ensure safety in their homes while away this festive season
* Test your your alarm system;
* Ask someone to collect your post;
*Get your security system backed up; and
* Ensure exterior lighting is working.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) was hit by a spate of school burglaries and vandalism with 41 incidents affecting 34 schools, over the December 2021/January 2022 school holidays.
Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson of WCED, said vandalism and theft had cost the department over R1million in the Dec 2021/Jan 2022 holidays. The Department has now arranged for 439 schools to receive security this holiday.