Post by Ken on Jul 9, 2006 8:32:40 GMT -5
Pretoria - Burglars have their own "secret language" for marking your home or business for a possible burglary. This is the opinion of Sergeant Major Stoney Steenkamp of a crime prevention organisation in Lynnwood. Steenkamp says research on criminal behaviour, done on an ongoing basis since the early 1990s, provided proof for this theory. According to him, burglars use objects like stones, sticks, paper bags and empty cooldrink cans to indicate houses that could be burgled. Before they break in, scouts mark premises and left "messages" for burglars, said Steenkamp. He said residents should watch out for visibly strange objects on pavements, against the wall or in the garden. He warned residents not to remove such objects or markings. "It could give police valuable information about the methods of criminals. In any case, the scouts will only replace their markings with smaller or less visible ones."
"If residents find such strange objects they should report them immediately to police." Captain Colette Weilbach, spokesperson for the Brooklyn police station confirmed that burglars often looked for "vulnerable" houses or businesses in a suburb and then marked these. "Prospective burglars often use a car to watch a neighbourhood and work in teams of four or five." "Police are doing everything in their power to stop burglaries, but they are still increasing," she said.
"If residents find such strange objects they should report them immediately to police." Captain Colette Weilbach, spokesperson for the Brooklyn police station confirmed that burglars often looked for "vulnerable" houses or businesses in a suburb and then marked these. "Prospective burglars often use a car to watch a neighbourhood and work in teams of four or five." "Police are doing everything in their power to stop burglaries, but they are still increasing," she said.