A crime that has become a staple in our nation’s criminal activities, has seen an increase compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in hijackings is said to be caused by unprecedented levels of youth unemployment; the effects of the Coronavirus; and the pressing poverty.
What do the statistics say?
Tracker.co.za recently published a piece looking back at the last 25 years of vehicle theft. They recorded that the average split between hijackings and theft is currently at a 54/46% in favour of hijacking, a split which hadn’t seen such highs since 1999.
While Gauteng has consistently been the highest contributor to hijackings (a reported 64% of the vehicle crime activities), the last few years has seen it decrease to an average of 56%, with Kwa-Zulu Natal & Western Cape seeing an increase of 3% respectively.
Practical steps to prevent hijackings
Arrive Alive listed some preventative measures when drivers enter their driveways:
The 2km from your House Strategy
- Be extra alert. Switch off the car radio and concentrate on your surroundings. If you have noticed any vehicle behind you, use the techniques you have learned during the hijack prevention & survival course to determine whether you are being followed.
- Remember to stop your vehicle just on the inside of the gate and select reverse whilst waiting for the gate to close. This creates confusion and may buy you a few seconds for the gate to close completely behind you.
- Check your driveway and street before you leave or enter your premises.
- Make sure your driveway is well lit and clear from shrubbery where perpetrators can hide.
- Be aware of unknown pedestrians close to your residential address – do not turn into your driveway – pass and go back later.
- Liaise with your neighbours – know them.
- Be aware of vehicles parked close to your address with occupants inside. It might be perpetrators observing the area.
- Be alert if your animals do not greet you at the gate as usual. It might be that the perpetrators over-powered them.
- Phone your home and ask for someone to make sure your driveway is safe and to open and close the gate for you.
