Being the victim of an armed robbery is a terrifying experience, one that nobody can ever be truly prepared for.
Fidelity ADT head of marketing and communications Charnel Hattingh said that in the event of such a traumatic event, it is vital that people remain calm.
Picture: PIXABAY
“You could as easily be a victim on a lazy Sunday morning while drinking coffee in the garden as while watching TV at 11pm,” she said.
“The best way to avoid becoming a statistic is to secure your home so that criminals cannot gain access.”
Hattingh gave six important steps that people can follow if they find themselves the sudden victim of an armed robbery.
First, keep a cool head is vital.
“Make no sudden movements and keep your hands where the perpetrators can see them. The robbers are also on edge and functioning on adrenalin, which can cause them to shoot if something unexpected happens,” she said.
Obey the robbers’ instructions but try to also take note of as much detail as you can to assist with law enforcement later.
Don’t try and change the robbers’ minds and cooperate as much as possible.
Finally, do not give chase when they leave but immediately press your panic button or contact the police/security company.
Of course, there are also ways to try and prevent robbers from entering your home.
Hattingh advised that home owners install garden beams to serve as early warning.
“Make sure your electric fence is working properly and install CCTV, which has been proven to be a good deterrent,” she said.
The robbers are also on edge and functioning on adrenalin, which can cause them to shoot if something unexpected happens
Install proper lighting around your house so that people cannot hide.
“Do proper reference checks on domestic staff before employing them. Many home robberies are the result of inside information.
“Never give keys to general service providers,” she said.
“As home robberies are common, it is important for homeowners to protect their families better with preventative security measures.”
