List of 'Smash and Grab' hotspots
This footage captured by a Gauteng motorist depicts a smash and grab incident in progress, at the corners of Cambridge and Witkoppen road.
The Complimentary Breakfast went on to ask if any listeners have been a victim of a smash and grab recently, and these are the hotspots they identified:
Johannesburg:
Cnr Boeing and William Nicol Bedfordview
Cnr William Nicol Drive and Main Road
Cnr Joe Slovo Drive and Abel
The bridge at the intersection of Bowling and Witkoppen
The Grayston on ramp and off ramp in Sandton
Pretoria:
Fountains Circle
Cnr Nelson Mandela and Andries Street
Cnr DF Malan and Bloed, Boom, Struben and Proes Street
Cnr De Villa Bois and Garsfontein
Cnr Struben and Du Toit Street
Cnr Francina and Paul Kruger Street
Cnr Jean Avenue and the N1 on ramp
Stormvoel at the N1 north off ramp
Some important precautions that you can take to avoid becoming a victim of this opportunistic and frightening crime:
1. Keep all valuables out of sight, preferably locked in the boot of your car.
2. Be aware of suspicious behaviour at intersections or if you are stuck in a traffic jam near a bridge or embankment. Turn the music down and pay attention to your surroundings.
3. Keep your doors locked at all times.
4. If you are driving an older model car, ensure that your boot is locked as many criminals try their luck with unlocked boots while moving through traffic.
5. Consider fitting your vehicle with smash and grab protection for your car windows.
6. If you don’t have smash and grab tinting on your windows, open your windows slightly, which will make the glass more pliable and resistant to shattering.
7. Always leave a gap between yourself and the vehicle in front of you, in case you need to make a quick getaway.
8. If you are unfortunate enough to become a victim of a smash and grab, remember that your safety comes first. Do not attempt to pursue or apprehend the criminal as they may be armed or have accomplices close by – the tablet or phone simply is not worth risking your life.
If you feel there is a spot that we missed, drop us a comment: