On Friday 19 August, Police Minister Bheki Cele released crime statistics for the first quarter of the 2022/2023 financial year, showing that although there was a decrease in contact crime, sexual offences, contact-related crime, and property crime, the stats still paint a very grim picture of the increased murder rate which shows that 664 more people have been killed since the start of the reporting period.

Fidelity ADT says while much still needs to be done to reduce these unacceptably high stats, ordinary South Africans can make a big difference in keeping their fellow citizens safe from crime.

“The way in which we live our daily lives make a big difference in limiting our potential risk of exposure to crime so we need a renewed focus on personal safety measures. The first step is to live safer lives and to be more careful about our movements wherever we may be,” says Fidelity ADT’s Head: Group Marketing & Communications Charnel Hattingh.

“It goes without saying that is impossible to prevent every type of crime from happening to us. You can however see a massive difference if people pay attention to their surroundings and what happens around them.”

Criminals are often on the lookout for people who appear to be distracted. Most crimes are opportunistic in nature, and this can be avoided by concentrating on things around you and the people that move about in your immediate vicinity.

“Coupled with this is your inbuilt instinct. People should not ignore that inner voice that warns when someone or something is out of place. When it comes to personal safety, it is far better to err on the side of caution,” says Hattingh.

The SAPS has also urged people to be crime conscious. They recommend:

• Never walk around alone and don’t talk to strangers. Be on the lookout for strange cars or people.
• Walk in well-lit busy streets and in a group, if possible.
• Make sure your home is secure, and become a member of an armed response service. Be sure that you know all the emergency numbers or have them displayed in an accessible area.
• Always let someone know where you are going and how long you will be gone. But think twice before advertising your impending absence on social media. Criminals also have access to Facebook and Twitter.
• Avoid going onto a congested street where you cannot even walk properly, that is where you will find criminals pick pocketing.
• Avoid displaying valuables where criminals can see them.
• Teach your children about safety and ensure the whole family is aware of the plan.

In those cases where something bad unfortunately happens to you, there are many organisations and companies that are on standby to come to your aid she adds.

“Make sure you know how to get in touch with the agency closest to you or best suited to help you. This could be anyone from the closest police station to your armed response company, your CPF or your neighbourhood watch. Someone is ready to help you; all you need to do is to make that call.”