Remote jamming is on the rise, police in Bellville have warned.
Remote jamming, where thieves “jam” the signal from the immobiliser to the car before proceeding to steal from them, has been an issue for years.
Places regularly targeted include busy shopping malls or gyms, like Tyger Valley Shopping Centre or Virgin Active in Tyger Valley.
WO Gawie Hawkins, spokesperson of the Bellville Police Station, advises drivers to confirm whether their car is locked – either by testing the handle with your hand or by listening for the click or beep of your car doors locking.
Hawkins says to keep valuables out of sight and not to move valuables to the trunk of your car where others can see you.
“Be on the lookout for suspicious individuals and report them to security immediately.”
The insurance giant Old Mutual says they saw an “alarming increase in remote jamming incidents” in 2021.
Christelle Colman, spokesperson for Old Mutual Insure, says many people aren’t properly insured for instances like these and advises drivers to confirm with their brokers.
Colman says to park as close as possible to the entrance where there are a lot of people and a lot of movement or where you are in full view of a camera.
