Theft from vehicles increases

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay experienced a sudden spike in theft out of vehicles over the past two weeks, which crime fighters believe could be the result of “notorious” criminals being back on the street.

Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) chair Bruce Richardson said the period under review started off with very “subdued crime levels”, particularly in the town itself.

He reported that there were only three residential burglaries and two incidents of theft out of vehicles.

During the second week the situation changed dramatically, he said.

“The number of theft or attempted theft out of vehicles showed a very marked increase with no less than 12 incidents having taken place over the seven-day period.”

“This increase has coincided with the release back into our area of a notorious criminal who specialises in breaking into vehicles.

"A distinguishing feature of his activities is numerous vehicles broken into in a single night as he works his way through the town breaking into vehicles, regardless of whether there are any visible valuables in the vehicle," Richardson said.

There were two more incidents during the evening of Monday 2 October.

“The PBCPA responded to these incidents but unfortunately the perpetrators fled and were not apprehended.”

The affected areas were throughout the town, although Robberg Road and vicinity had been the most prominent spot on the nights of September 24 and 25, he said.

“Unfortunately removing all items from a vehicle does not prevent a break-in, so vigilance and removing vehicles from the street whenever possible should take precedence.