Lentswe, Potchefstroom - The police in Potchefstroom picked up on a worrying statistic. Since February 2024 a total of 12 thefts of Toyota Hilux vehicles as well as two attempted theft cases were reported in Potchefstroom. Hot Spot areas include shopping centres close to the R501 road that leads from Potchefstroom to Carletonville as well as the sport grounds close to the North West University and Potchefstroom Country Club.
Col Adele Myburgh, police spokesperson, requested drivers of vehicles, in particular those driving a Toyota Hilux to exercise caution when parking their vehicles. She shared the following preventative measures:
- Remove your keys from the ignition and take your keys with you.
- Lock your vehicle.
- Never hide a second set of keys in your vehicle.
- Park in attended lots.
- Park in well-lit areas.
- Never leave your vehicle’s engine running.
- Completely close all vehicle windows when parking.
- Don’t leave valuables in plain sight.
- Park with your wheels turned towards the curb to make your vehicle more difficult to tow away.
- If your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, backing into your driveway will also make it more difficult for a thief to tow it away.
- Garage your vehicle if you have one and always remember to lock the garage door.
- Do not leave the registration or title in your vehicle.
- Always use your emergency brake when parking, which ensures safety and also makes it difficult for a thief to tow your vehicle away.
- Etch your vehicle identification number on car windows and major parts. This procedure makes vehicles and parts more easily traceable when stolen. Also make use of data dot
- Disable your vehicle when leaving it unattended for an extended period of time.
- Engrave expensive accessories like car stereos, cellular phones, compact disc changers, external speakers, etc., so that the thief will have difficulty disposing of them.
- Drop business cards, address labels or other identification inside vehicle doors to help assist law enforcement in identifying your vehicle or parts.
- Replace easily accessible door lock assemblies.
- Install an anti-theft device or system on your vehicle as an extra deterrent measure.
Myburgh added that three cases of theft out of motor vehicle were reported on May 14. In all three cases laptops were left in the vehicles and stolen. These vehicles were parked in parking areas, two in central town and the third incident was reported in Molen Street on the Bult.
Community members are once more requested to not leave valuable items in their vehicles.
