The Richards Bay South African Police Service (SAPS) recently took custody of a suspected thief thanks to the rapid response of a local security company.

Just before 20h30 on the 31st March, the Fidelity ADT Security Monitoring Centre received an alarm activation from a Richards Bay business premises and Armed Response Officer (ARO), Petrous Ndlovu, immediately responded and arrived at the Bullion Boulevard property within minutes.

“All our ARO’s are equipped with in-vehicle tablet devices which enable them to receive auto dispatch signals as soon as a customer’s alarm is activated, enhancing response times. In any emergency situation we are all aware that time is of the essence and we therefore ensure that all our responses are done in an effective and efficient manner. In addition, and in line with regulations to control and prevent the spread of the coronavirus we have provided all our staff with the necessary PPE equipment to ensure the safety of both our employees and customers,” says Fidelity ADT’s Branch Manager for Richards Bay, Rian Buys.

Upon arrival, ARO Ndlovu noticed that the burglar bars had been broken and the door had been forced open. Not long after entering the premises, ARO Ndlovu spotted a suspect and successfully apprehend him. The suspect was handed over for arrest to members of the local SAPS. Additional patrols and visibility initiatives continue to be prioritised in the CBD area.

“We commend officer Ndlovu for his swift response and bravery. I encourage businesses to conduct regular security assessments in order to resolve any vulnerable or unprotected areas to deter opportunistic criminals. Security technologies such as CCTV, outdoor beams and roof passives are often used to proactively prevent crime,” Buys concluded.