Police will be out in full force for the duration of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown which started on Thursday (30/06/16).
About 30 personnel will be deployed on foot, vehicle and mounted patrols around the town every day and there will also be five static points at High Street, the Settlers Monument, Church Square, Fiddlers and Village Green.
Reports and enquiries can be made at these points.
Air support is also on standby and road blocks and vehicle check points will be held to ensure the festival goers’ safety.
In addition, police have also issued several tips for the public to ensure their own safety.
In Your Car:
•Plan your route in advance and let someone know your plans;
•Be extra cautious especially when driving alone;
•Avoid stopping in remote places;
•Never leave your valuables unattended in a vehicle. Place them in the boot; and
•Do not give lifts to strangers.
Out Shopping:
•Keep your handbag close to your person at all times, and never leave your bag unattended in a trolley;
•Do not give your handbag to a child or an old person to carry;
•Do not resist the robbery of a phone, handbag or purse.
Apply the following to avoid being a victim:
• Carry as little cash as possible;
•Consider the convenience of paying your accounts electronically; and
•Consider making use of cell phone banking or internet transfers or ATMs to do your banking.
Tips to avoid being a victim of cash robberies for businesses
•Alternate the days and times on which you deposit cash;
•Never make your bank visits public, even to people close to you;
•Do not openly display the money you are depositing while you are standing in the bank queue;
•Avoid carrying money bags, briefcases or openly displaying your deposit receipt book;
•It’s advisable to identify another branch nearby that you can visit to ensure that your banking pattern is not easily recognisable or detected;
•If the amount of cash you are regularly depositing is increasing as your business grows, consider using the services of a cash management company;
•Refrain from giving wages to your contract or casual labourers in full view of the public rather make use of wage accounts that can be provided by your bank;
•Refrain from driving to the bank in your company branded vehicle on a typical ‘pay day’; and
•Consider arranging for electronic transfers of wages to your contract or casual labourers’ personal bank accounts.
Safety at ATM
•Be alert at all times;
•If you see anything suspicious, CANCEL OR STOP the transaction and leave;
•If ATM is poorly lit, find another one;
•Never give your pin to anyone;
•Do not count cash at the machine;
•Never accept assistance from strangers;
•Any strange device attached to the ATM could spell danger; and
•Never let any of your bank and credits cards out of your sight.
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