PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Residential burglaries and theft out of vehicles seemed to have been the predominant crimes reported in Plettenberg Bay over August and early September.

This was revealed during a police partnership meeting - a meeting between all crime fighters in Plett earlier this month.

During the meeting it also came to light that the most affected areas were Poortjies, Seaside Longships, the CBD, Skerryvore, Beachyhead, Pachena point and Stableford. Beacon Way was also identified as a hotspot.

Lisa Nagel of Plett.Watch - Plettenberg Bay's neighbourhood watch group - said the modus operandi of the criminals involved forcing open doors and windows to gain access to their target homes.

The items stolen include laptops, televisions, jewellery, tools, bicycles and cash.

During the month, four arrests were made in connection with theft out of motor vehicles and one for breaking into a container.

"These are only crimes that have been reported to police," Nagel said.

She said another trend that came out of the meeting was that the majority of these reported crimes allegedly took place in daylight hours, between 12:00 and 14:59 and 15:00 and 17:59. 

"This is most concerning as it means people are either not using their security systems when they go out, or leaving doors and windows open at these times."

She reminded residents to remain vigilant and with load shedding being implemented again, to regularly check that alarm system back-up batteries are charged. 

"If your back-up battery on your alarm is not working, you will be a prime candidate for crime, even if you set your alarm. When the power goes out, your security provider will not receive a signal or a panic alarm. Please test your alarm and replace the battery if necessary, and have the system serviced regularly."

She also urged residents who become victims of crime, to report the incident to police.

"We need to have the correct statistics to be able to effectively secure our town and to have enough law enforcement members to assist. We will only get this right if every crime is reported and followed through."

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