The top five smash and grab hotspots are intersections along Jakes Gerwel Drive; while the top five hotspots for theft out of motor vehicle are Stellenbosch Arterial Road and Adam Tas Road, Robert Sobukwe Road and 35th Avenue, 35th Avenue and Bishop Lavis Drive, Owen Street and 35th Avenue and Reygersdal on the Atlantis MyCiTi route.

Smash and grab crimes occur when vehicle windows are broken/smashed and the visible and valuable items are taken from the drivers or passengers. Theft out of motor vehicles is the grabbing of valuable items from vehicles where windows are open or items are left on back of vehicles (delivery vehicles and trucks).

‘Motorists are most vulnerable when stationary at an intersection and are often distracted by their cellphones or other items. These crimes have increased over the last few months and as we get closer to the festive season, the criminals are likely to increase their activity,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Statistics for April to September 2023: 

The highest number of incidents are recorded on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

‘Our three enforcement departments are aware of these hotspots and often do operations along these routes, do foot and visible patrols, and continue to educate drivers of risky behaviour. Our camera surveillance teams also alert us when there are suspects on the road, who disappear when they see officers coming. 

‘Unfortunately, we’re not able to station officers there 24 hours a day as there are too many competing priorities for our limited resources. Not only does the South African Police Service have to do their part, but I want to urge motorists to be aware of their surroundings, especially in these known hotspots. These are opportunistic crimes, so please make sure your valuables are out of sight in the boot of your vehicle and your doors are locked,’ said Alderman Smith. 

Metro Police officers continue to do awareness drives, with the most recent one a few days ago along the N2 and Jakes Gerwel Drive.

‘Again officers found motorists distracted by their cellphones in their hands, handbags and valuables on front passenger seats and generally unobservant of their surroundings,’ said Alderman Smith.

Victims of these crimes are encouraged to report it to SAPS and lay charges.

‘There have been instances where our enforcement staff are able to affect and arrest and recover stolen goods, only for the victim to decline laying criminal charges. Without the victim making a criminal case and testifying in court, there is no legal basis for the accused to be held and tried for their crimes. Often a community becomes estranged when seeing a known offender walking freely on the streets just hours after an incident and thereafter unfairly criticise officers. Without a complainant in the matter, there is no justifiable means of detaining the accused further and the hands of enforcement are tied.

‘We cannot let the criminals off the hook so easily. Not reporting incidents can create a false sense of security and put others at risk to falling victim. Together we can put an end to these crimes,’ added Alderman Smith.

Residents are reminded to phone 021 480 77 00 from a cell phone and 107 from a landline to report any criminal activity or emergency.