CRIME STATS: MORE LIKELY TO BE HIJACKED DRIVING A TOYOTA THAN A VW

In the latest statistics by the South African Police Service released today 12th September 2019 it shows that trio crimes decreased by 0,8% in Gauteng. 23,082 cases of trio crimes were opened.

The Police refer to the crimes of hijackings, house robbery and business robbery as ‘trio crimes’. Trio Crimes are further divided into 6 sub categories namely: Carjacking, Robbery-residential premises, Robbery-no residential premises, Cash In Transit, Bank Robbery and Truck Hijackings.

Ivory Park Police Station (station that covers Ivory Park, Kaalfontein, Allandale and Ebony Park) reported the second highest number of reported incidents in the country. 567 cases of trio crimes were reported in the Ivory Park Police Station from April 2018 to March 2019.

HIJACKING

5253 Toyotas were hijacked in South Africa compared to 2877 Volkswagens. Types of Toyotas hijacked include Corollas (UBER), HiLux and Avanzas. The VW Polo is still the criminal’s favorite car to hijack but stats show that there’s been a decrease.

Other makes of vehicles hijacked amongst others were Nissan (1303); Ford (1090); Hyundai (949); Isuzu (866); Mercedes Benz (775) and BMW (598).

It was reported that most hijackings are happening ko kasi and Inner Cities (CBDs) than in any other area. Furthermore, the modus operandi used by criminals to gain control of the victims car was pointing of firearm.

HOUSE BREAKING

Ivory Park Police Station reported the highest number of robbery at residential premises also known as house breaking. 373 house break ins happened in the period under review which is an increase of 52 cases from the preceding period.

Most house break-ins occur on Saturday mornings from 00:00 to 03:59. Highest Method of entry in the victim’s residence was by threatening with a firearm and breaking in locks on gates.

ROBBERY AT BUSINESS PREMISES

A total of 19 991 businesses were robbed during the period under review. The station with the most business robberies is Johannesburg Central which recorded 232 cases. This number does not include the recent xenophobic attacks. The highest time for business robberies is Friday from 16:00 to 19:59.

Spaza shops, clothing shops and jewelry stores were the worst victims. Most business robberies are in rural areas, townships and in the Inner City.

CASH IN TRANSIT

Cash In Transits heists showed a dramatic decrease thanks to the efforts and intelligence of the police. Only 183 heists compared to 238 last period were recorded. Gauteng and the Eastern Cape were Provinces that reported the highest number of heists.

Robbery of Cash In Transits took place on Monday mornings. The date of the month was the 3rd and 28th. More than half took place on the road. Four security guards and one bystander lost their lives due to CIT.