The Festive Season is here; And as holiday makers flock to their favourite destinations, this is consistently accompanied by an increase in criminal activities such as smash & grabs, hijackings, and vehicle theft. Not only that, but thieves often become more opportunistic and brazen in their attacks – as seen in the below video (posted by Crimewatch24 – Phoenix) of a smash & grab incident which took place in Durban during peak traffic last week. In the video, a thief is seen running alongside a vehicle before smashing the passenger window and taking off with a bag.
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So, it is understandable that motorists are warned to be on high-alert during this period. Here are some tips to help you avoid falling victim to a Smash & Grab:
- Be EXTRA-vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times
- Put your valuables (such as bags, laptops, etc) in the boot of the car
- Do not use your cellphone
- Close your windows
- Ensure all doors are locked
- Approach red traffic lights slowly rather than coming to a complete stop
- If you are stopped at a traffic light, leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front allowing you space to manoeuvre should you have to escape a dangerous situation
- If you find yourself in a smash & grab situation, do not confront the individual as they may be armed and dangerous.
Although we can’t prevent these types of things from happening, we can soften the blow of such traumatic events through our powerful Theftbuster Plus policy which will assist in getting victims back on their feet by taking care of associated expenses, providing for trauma counselling and an extensive list of covered items in such an incident.
