A concerning surge in gate motor thefts has gripped Newcastle, with residential areas in Hutten Heights, Sunnyridge, and Pioneer Park bearing the brunt of these criminal activities.
Such is the situation, Newcastle SAPS Station Commander, Brigadier Vassie Naidoo, revealed that just on Wednesday night, 6 December 2023, a staggering seven gate motors were reported stolen in the aforementioned suburbs.
Addressing the recurrence of this trend, Brigadier Naidoo stated, “A similar trend took place last year, and it looks like the responsible parties have possibly returned. The Newcastle SAPS is now investigating the matter, and security companies and the Newcastle CPF (Community Policing Forum) are also monitoring the situation.”
With the festive season approaching and the added cover of darkness provided by load shedding, Brigadier Naidoo is urging the community to exercise increased vigilance and report any suspicious individuals or criminal activities in their neighbourhoods. “A large part of intelligence comes from the public, and together we can ensure criminal activities such as this are minimised,” emphasised Brigadier Naidoo.
In response to the escalating gate motor thefts, the Newcastle SAPS has issued a set of safety measures to assist residents in safeguarding their gate motors:
- Ensure your gate motor is secured in a steel casing or bracket that is not easily accessible from the outside. The steel casing or bracket must also remain locked at all times.
- Install adequate anti-lift brackets or weld a piece of flat bar onto the gate rack to prevent thieves from bending the rack upwards.
- Maintain records of the gate motor’s serial number and the receipt of purchase. This facilitates easier identification for owners if the SAPS recovers the stolen item, especially if a suspect is apprehended with a gate motor under suspicious circumstances. It is also advisable to mark or engrave your name on the gate motor.
Residents are encouraged to adopt these precautionary measures to enhance the security of their properties.
What are your thoughts on the above? Be sure to let us know in the comment section below.
Wrt repporting of suspicious activities, who will be responding to it, as i numerous times have reported nighttime suspicious activity as well as daytime and still waiting for any response, it was only once at midnight when police attended to partying group in the park at Amiel park. Young children are suppose to use the facilities for recreation, but instead it is being used by adults especially at night leaving behind litter like broken liquor bottles etc,making it very unsafe for anyone playing in the park or using the facilities.
There is also other illegal activities happening, would you not deem it suspicious if vehicles are park opposite each other in the park handing over things and then drive off a few minutes apart, just asking.