Theft out of and from motor vehicles seem to be on the rise in the Mangaung Cluster thus the police urges motorists and drivers to be extra cautious.

Just in the past week more than five cases of theft out of and from motor vehicles have been opened at different stations following complaints from the owners of such incidents.

According to the police records, this type of  crime takes place usually from Fridays to Sundays from seven in the evening until the early hours of the mornings. Kagisanong Police Station area being the highest whereby such crimes are reported, mostly at Rocklands and Mafora location, followed by Mangaung with Joe Slovo, Bochabela and Phahameng, and then comes Kopanong area where Freedom Square is problematic, and lastly Bloemspruit where Grassland 2, Bloemside, and Phase 3, 6&7 are the regular hot spots. Even at the shopping centre parking bays, a lot of theft out of and from vehicles also takes place.

Other vehicles were targeted because owners left their valuables where criminals could see them from the outside, thus it is of high importance that residents should take the necessary precautions to safeguard their valuables, especially with vehicles that stay outside overnight because thugs are targeting those.

Most stolen items, among others, are car radios and batteries, laptops and handbags. The following safety tips that might reduce the risk of theft out of and from motor vehicles are:

• Lock all valuables away
• If possible, manually lock your vehicle and activate the alarm system
• Do not leave your GPS on the windscreen while the vehicle is parked
• Ensure that all windows and doors are fully closed
• Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if you think you will be away for only a minute.

Activate the vehicle’s alarm while the vehicle is parked – even when parked for a short while

Compiled by Mangaung Corporate Communication Services