Gang of armed robbers hold up gardener
A gang of brazen armed robbers held up a gardener during a home invasion in Somerset Park in Umhlanga yesterday morning.
Blue Security operations manager Brian Jackson said four armed robbers derailed the driveway gate of a property in Shepton Close at around 11.12am. “The armed robbers held up the gardener at gunpoint and tied him up before forcing open the front door of the home. They stole a television, jewellery and a safe containing a firearm. The gang fled the scene in the resident’s vehicle,” he said.
Jackson said the incident was the latest of several reported housebreakings involving gatecrashers in the Durban North area over the past week. “Gategatecrashers are targeting the area so we urge residents to be vigilant and to work together with neighbours to report any suspicious activity to their local security company and the police,” he said.
“Regularly remind domestic staff of the importance of being security conscious and to make sure that they have access to a panic button and that they know exactly what to do in an emergency,” he said.
Jackson advised residents to fit anti-gatecrashing kits to their gates and to install CCTV surveillance cameras at the front of their properties for an additional layer of security. “Cameras serve as a deterrent against crime and an anti-gatecrashing kit linked to the main house alarm system will sound the alarm if anyone tries to tamper with the gate, enabling domestic staff and families to get to a “safe room” in the house where they can call for help,” he said.
