- On Saturday afternoon, eight robbers surrounded a vehicle stopped at a red light in the Johannesburg CBD, smashing at least three windows. The incident was captured on CCTV camera.
- The victim managed to drive away.
- The owner of FASDA Protection Security Company, Andy Henry said incidents like this have tripled in the last two months.
Smash-and-grab incidents have tripled in the past month in the Joburg CBD according to a security company that monitors the area.
Owner of FASDA Protection, Andy Henry, said there are between two and six smash-and-grabs in the area daily.
"We've reached out to the police on numerous occasions, but it just seems to be falling on deaf ears," he told News24.
Henry attributes the increase in these incidents to two main issues: a lack of visible policing; and victims not opening cases.
"By the time the police arrive, the victims are gone. They just want to get out of there," he said.
"So no one is being convicted, and they're getting away with these crimes."
Henry told News24 that some 10 to 15 people operate together at any given time. He said they either attack one vehicle together, or split into two or three teams.
FASDA's security cameras captured a smash-and-grab on the corner of Market and Mooi in the Johannesburg CBD on Saturday afternoon.
Video footage shows the eight robbers surrounding a white bakkie. They then proceed to smash at least three windows. It's unclear what items were stolen. The victim, who was stopped at a red traffic light, managed to drive away after the attack.
"I'm sure you can appreciate my level of frustration because every day, this is getting worse," said Henry.
"Just on Friday, the day before, there were three smash-and-grabs."
When asked if the suspects are usually armed, Henry reported that he hadn't noticed any weapons involved in these attacks.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, confirmed the incident had occurred and that a case was opened at the local police station.
"Our crime analysis shows that the area is not classified as a hot spot for smash-and-grabs, but police will keep a close observation," he said.
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