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Muggings and attempted muggings seem to be on the rise, the Milnerton Crime Watch Trust has reported
This number is especially high in the Milnerton Lagoon area.
In a recent incident, last Friday (23 May) a suspect used pepper spray close to the big palms on the path by the lagoon.
TygerBurger reported last week (“Cops raise alarm”, 20 March) about a sharp increase in beachgoers leaving their belongings unattended, raising significant concerns for property safety and security.
The hot spot beaches include Melkbosstrand, Bloubergstrand and Milnerton Beach.
A number of missing cellphones, car keys, surfing gear and clothes were reported stolen at these popular destinations.
According to the Milnerton Crime Watch Trust, the suspect is approximately 1,7 m tall and wore a hoody, backpack and dark green tights under running shorts. He pretends to be exercising and waits for the victim to walk or jog past.
Victimised
One of the victims of a mugging, who wishes to remain anonymous, told TygerBurger she usually jogs at the Milnerton Lagoon every morning.
“This was the start to my day. I never went without a jog (at the lagoon),” she says.
However, now she has to drive to a different spot to jog after she was robbed of her cell phone and car keys two weeks ago.
“I always thought the Milnerton Lagoon was a safe place to jog. Nothing happened to me in the past and I never saw anyone suspicious,” she says, adding that she has jogged at the lagoon for the past 10 years.
She says it felt like her heart stopped for a few seconds when the robber grabbed her jogging bag.
“I felt ice cold. I could not move. I can’t even identify the robber because he came up behind me,” she says.
Luckily, a beachgoer saw the robbery and ran to her.
“He was long gone before I snapped out of my daze. A friendly gentleman assisted me and I called my husband,” she says.
She reported the robbery to the police.
The Milnerton Crime Watch Trust urged beachgoers to be aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious persons or activity to the patrolman or law enforcement.
Tips to keep safe
Before heading out for a jog, tell someone where you are going.
“We live in a digitally connected world that has made it easy to inform someone of your whereabouts, so let your family, a friend or even your next-door neighbour know that you have stepped out for a jog. Also, give them details of your planned route.
Most joggers prefer to play their favourite tunes to keep them motivated while they jog. This could, however, have dangerous consequences.”
Keep in mind the following:
- Always stay alert and aware of what’s going on around you. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are.
- Think of possible escape routes in case of a confrontation.
- Take notice of who is ahead of you and who is behind you. Know where the nearest public sites are with some general activity – there is usually safety in numbers.
- When in doubt, follow your intuition and avoid potential trouble. If something seems suspicious, do not panic, but run in a different direction.
- Run clear of parked cars, bushes and dark areas.
- Be extra vigilant at junctions with alleyways where traffic may emerge.
- Run across the street at crosswalks and always pay attention to traffic lights.
- Drivers have a bad habit of not looking at pedestrians. Be sure to make eye contact before crossing in front of a car.
- Never assume you have been seen.
- Be considerate of other road/ pavement users – do not force pedestrians into the road – do not step off the pavement without checking behind you – cyclists do not make a noise!
- Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving.
- Do not approach a car to give directions or the time of day. Point toward the nearest police or information source, shrug your shoulders but keep moving.
