As we enter the busy retail festive season, the risk of mall robberies increases.<\/p>\n
Knowing what to do in the event of a mall robbery could save your life.<\/p>
This is the view of Malcolm Stephens, Fidelity Security group executive new business development.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe golden rule if you are ever caught in the middle of a heist is to stay calm,\u201d said Stephens.<\/p>
Customers need to remain vigilant at all times and should always be on the lookout for any suspicious activities and be aware of the people around them.<\/p>\n
Fidelity provides the following useful advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you are in the store that is being robbed:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Cooperate with robbers for your own safety. Listen to their instructions closely and follow their instructions.<\/p>\n \u2022 Try and keep as calm as possible. Everyone reacts in a different way but try and breathe deeply until help arrives.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not use your cellphone while the robbery is in process, this could agitate the assailants.<\/p>\n \u2022 Immediately try and find a sheltered spot and keep low on the ground.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Police appeal to parents to keep their children safe<\/a><\/p>\n Keep safe as the festive season approaches<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2022 Take note of the assailants to pass information on to the authorities i.e. what they were wearing, any distinctive clothes, markings, jewellery etc. Try and remember what they look like i.e. height, weight, etc.<\/p>\n \u2022 Ensure your children are kept close to you at all times. Do not let children wander off while you are shopping.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not shop with large amounts of cash or valuables.<\/p>\n If you are not in the store being robbed:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Speak with the store personnel to firstly close the roller shutter doors. This is also standard operating procedures in many malls and move to the back of the store, out of sight.<\/p>\n \u2022 Try and find a store closest to you and secure yourself as described above.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not try and exit via the standard entry and exit points as these are the same points the robbers will be using. Many malls now have standard operating procedures to lock down the mall.<\/p>\n Stephens said crime is becoming more sophisticated, with inside information playing an increasingly prominent role.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether you were in the store being robbed, or just witnessed the incident in the centre, you should seek counselling, regardless of how you might feel.<\/p>\n \u201cIt often takes some time to experience and deal with the post-traumatic stress following such robberies,\u201d said Stephens.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n