Almost 15 000 businesses robbed

Business Live quotes the Institute of Security Studies researcher Lizette Lancaster as saying that while the number of business robberies was small in comparison with the total number of crimes, the upward trend was worrying.

Mthethwa says that the increase in business robberies appeared to be focused on spaza shops, super markets, taverns, schools and general dealers. He said that the police is developing a National Small Business Robbery Strategy, which will be finalised before the end of the year.

Cape Chamber of Commerce president Michael Bagraim says that seven years ago there were 3 320 crimes against businesses and now there are 14 667 cases reported, which is totally unacceptable. He says this rising trend must be reversed.

The number of cash-in-transit heists that have plagued South Africa for years fell by 67 cases to 291 incidents (almost one a day) indicating that robbers are being foiled by the current counter-measures.

However, ATM bombings increased by 61%, an increase of 152 incidents. The South African Police Service does not keep statistics on ATM bombings as these incidents contravene a host of laws. It relies on the SA Banking Risk Information Centre for the figures.

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