Research Results in Crime
BE VIGILANT AND SAFETY CONSCIOUS - It could save your life.
Dr. Rudolph Zinn of the School of Criminal Justice at UNISA did intensive research on residential robberies and attacks, and interviewed many arrested and convicted robbers.
Some of his findings are alarming, some are surprising - but they are all well worth taking note of. Then make your own conclusion and beef up your security where necessary.
An average of 30% of all house robbers have either committed murder, or won't hesitate to commit murder.
Only 17% of house robbers are foreigners
Of all arrested robbers, 90% had no matric or were unemployed.
The 10% who had been employed, gave up their jobs when confirming how much they could "earn" from a robbery.
Most victims or targets are affluent persons who openly display their wealth
Much intelligence is gathered about the target home and its residents by means of inside information supplied by domestic workers.
Eight out of ten residential robberies are committed with the help of information from domestic workers, gardeners and former employees.
The robbers will monitor the home and movements for as long as is needed to formulate a plan of attack - sometimes up to two weeks.
All gangs research and monitor the response times of armed response companies.
Most attacks occur between 19:00 and midnight as people are relaxed, busy cooking or watching TV, and the security systems and beams are not activated. But robberies continue until 04:00 in the morning.
The biggest deterrent confirmed by robbers themselves, are small dogs that are kept inside the home.
Alarm systems and armed reaction services are not considered a deterrent. Electric fences, closed-circuit TV (CCTV) and detection beams do, however, deter robbers.
An average of R5 000 is stolen during each robbery.
Surprisingly, victims of house robberies are only seriously injured in 2% of all incidents.
35% of robbers robbed for basic needs (hunger, poverty), while 65% enjoyed the money and spent it on clothes, cars, etc.
The average robber commits 103 robberies over seven years before being caught.
A staggering 97% of all robbers are armed, and on average there are four members in an armed robbery gang.
Most attackers' homes or bases are a 10 to 30 minute drive from the target address.
Women are more often tortured or hurt during house robberies.
The conviction rate for house robberies in South Africa is only 7,67%. In the USA it is 53%.
While these statistics and facts may be disturbing, even alarming, we trust that they may sharpen the vigilance of each member. If you have safety measures at your home, ensure that they are in place. Test your security equipment regularly... never be complacent and think that it only happens to other people.
It is in your own best interest rather to be safe than sorry.
Things to know to stay safe:
Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do so!
If a robber asks for your handbag, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you. He is probably more interested in your handbag than you and he will go for the handbag. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
If you are ever thrown into the boot of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm through the hole and start waving. The driver won't see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
People have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their cheque book, or making a list). Avoid at all costs. A predator could be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, and attack you. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.
A few notes about getting into your car in a car park:
Be aware - look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and check the back seat.
If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most attackers surprise their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the shop, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.
ALWAYS take the lift instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot.
If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!
As women, we are naturally sympathetic. This trait may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a
good- looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
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