Silly season is upon us and opportunistic crime is on the increase – bag and cell phone snatching.

Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Marketing & Communications at Fidelity ADT says the number of stolen phones and bags being snatched has increased dramatically in the past week, particularly in the South of Johannesburg specifically in Alrode and Germiston CBD.

She offers residents the following advice to keep safe:

• Make sure you know what the load-shedding roster is so that you can plan your walk to a certain destination. Never walk in darkness so ensure you can return home before it is dark
• Don’t walk with earphones listening to music. You have to be able to look and listen, vigilance is key
• If you are a victim of an attempted bag or phone snatching, remember to report the incident even if it was just an attempt. A crime is not a crime and will not get recorded unless it is reported.
•  Hide your valuables/cell phones in your bag or inside your jacket pocket. You need to ensure your phone is not visible to passers-by. You must also never talk on your phone while out walking as this makes you an easy target.
• Where possible walk with someone to just make you a little less vulnerable. Two people can also help to identify the perpetrators and the vehicle they are travelling in better than one. This will help us to get the criminals behind bars and to keep them there.“Remember that criminals are usually nervous and working under pressure so they can make mistakes. It is better to give them what they want and avoid being injured.

That same message needs to be communicated to your children so everyone understands the rules,” concludes Hattingh.

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PREPARED ON BEHALF OF FIDELITY ADT BY CATHY FINDLEY PUBLIC RELATIONS ON (071) 764-8233 OR EMAIL JACQUI MOLOI ON JACQUI@FINDLEYPR.CO.ZA