Police concerned about mall robberies
JOBURG - Lax security has made shopping malls easy targets for criminals.
This was according to Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Lesetja Mothiba, who said that criminals were currently committing mall robberies easily because security measures at some malls were not up to standard.
Mothiba said the security was “too relaxed”, adding that CCTV footage at some malls was of poor quality while other malls’ CCTV cameras were not switched on.
He was speaking at a press conference in Parktown to address the recent spate of robberies at malls across Gauteng, where he said that 11 malls had been targeted thus far.
Between two and five male suspects were involved in all robberies during which mostly electronic gadgets were stolen, he said.
However, police arrested five suspects and confiscated three rifles, a 9mm pistol and 91 rounds of live ammunition during a raid this morning in Brixton and Doornfontein.
The suspects were arrested in connection with ATM bombings, robbery and taxi violence and could be linked to at least two of the mall robberies, Mothiba confirmed.
Mothiba said that 95 percent of these robberies related to cellphones being stolen and police needed to determine where these devices were going.
He added that methods of rendering stolen cellphones useless needed to be looked into.
According to Mothiba, police believed that in the majority of the incidents, insiders had helped the assailants by giving them information, which he said was concerning.
Meetings had been set up with mall management to beef up security and look into their existing security systems, said Mothiba.
Mothiba said he was surprised that some malls were not doing regular security drills, adding that if malls did more security drills the public and staff would also be more aware and prepared for such incidents.
The police have identified 12 high-risk malls where police visibility would be increased, including the deployment of nyalas.
However, he urged the public and shoppers to be vigilant and alert while shopping at malls.
Further, he said police needed support from all stakeholders and communities to stop the wave of attacks.
“We are also offering up to R200 000 for any information that may lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of criminals,” said Mothiba.
The police have called on the public to call 086 001 0111 with any information.
Malls targeted in the recent robberies included Cresta Mall, Northgate Mall, World Wear Shopping, the Apple iStores in Centurion, The Glen shopping centre, Northgate Mall, Cradlestone Mall and Diepkloof Black Chain shopping centre in Soweto.
Meanwhile, the Cell C store in Norwood Mall, Altech Cellular in The Colony Centre, and a jewellery store in Rosebank Mall were also robbed this year.
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