![\"CPM](\"http:\/\/www.capepreciousmetals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/CPM-Security-alerts.jpg\")
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Unfortunately, criminals are once again targeting jewellers with alarming frequency. The majority of recent incidents have affected retailers inside shopping malls and have resulted in extensive damage to premises, however in this current economic downturn as a result of lockdowns, we urge everyone to remain vigilant.<\/p>\n
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If you\u2019re trading from a mall – especially one that has quick access to escape routes like highways – consult with management about ways to safeguard the store, and check if security cameras are placed in communal areas in a way that will pick up of thieves approaching or fleeing. While everyone is required to wear masks in public, it\u2019s very difficult to identify facial features, so extra cameras in parking areas that are angled to clearly capture number plates of escape vehicles might be in order. Have a look at this footage<\/a><\/strong><\/span> from November 2020 that might give you some ideas about how criminals are operating and where your weak security points may be \u2013 is it better to be able to lock a back room door, or could this put your front-of-house staff at more risk? Does your insurance policy cover theft or damage to shop fittings? If you have custom-made displays this might be especially relevant as thieves will often grab the entire tray rather than wasting time picking out individual items.<\/p>\n According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Stats SA, crime stats reported between July and September 2020 reflect a massive up-tick in criminal activity – an expected resurgence after the hard lockdowns earlier in the year. Minister of Police Bheki Cele reported in November that \u201cWhile many citizens are still working from home due to the Nationwide Lockdown, incidents of home invasions have increased by 8.5%. On the other hand, cases of business robberies have declined by the same percentage,\u201d (though jewellers seem to be the exception to this rule). Saferspaces.org.za<\/a><\/strong><\/span> notes that:<\/p>\n \u201cVarious research reports have shown the devastating effect that the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown regulations have had on large segments of the South African population, in which there have been alarming increases in poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, hunger and domestic violence. These dynamics are likely to transform the current crime crisis into a crime catastrophe in the medium term, as existing risk factors for violence perpetration will be exacerbated, such as physical violence in the home; dropping out of school; and diminishing meaningful job prospects. This will be especially the case for young marginalized men, who are most at risk for violence perpetration. We are also likely to see increases in unrest, with the recent violence associated with land invasions being a likely taste of things to come<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n RAM couriers released the following information towards the end of January 2021 regarding criminals posing as delivery drivers \u2013 and we\u2019re certain that this impersonation issue will not be unique to RAM, so please be aware of any deliveries by any company, even if you are expecting one:<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026pursuant to the increase in eCommerce and online deliveries there have been certain incidents whereby perpetrators arrive at residential houses or businesses advising that they are from RAM to do a delivery… (they) often wear red shirts and\/or partial RAM uniforms (obtained fraudulently).\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Check with your couriers beforehand about whether their drivers will arrive in branded vehicles, what kind of ID they will produce, whether they will be able to show you a specific handheld device that the company uses to deliver or collect packages, and whether they will be in a particular kind of uniform. RAM has issued this number to contact should you suspect that a RAM courier is not who they say they are: +27 82 799 5748.<\/p>\n Safety tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n Stay safe and alert!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Unfortunately, criminals are once again targeting jewellers with alarming frequency. The majority of recent incidents have affected retailers inside shopping malls and have resulted in extensive damage to premises, however in this current economic downturn as a result of lockdowns, we urge everyone to remain vigilant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[329],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wildlykreativ.com\/oldcpm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5024"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wildlykreativ.com\/oldcpm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wildlykreativ.com\/oldcpm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wildlykreativ.com\/oldcpm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wildlykreativ.com\/oldcpm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5024"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wildlykreativ.com\/oldcpm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5024\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5027,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wildlykreativ.com\/oldcpm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5024\/revisions\/5027"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wildlykreativ.com\/oldcpm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5024"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wildlykreativ.com\/oldcpm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5024"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wildlykreativ.com\/oldcpm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5024"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n