The spate of armed robberies on technology and telecommunications retail outlets in recent weeks has led to a new coalition aimed at fighting the scourge.
The South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC), the Consumer Goods Council, Business Against Crime, the South African Police Service (SAPS), retailers and shopping centre owners and managers have formed an anti-crime collaborative forum aimed at stemming the recent spate of shopping centre robberies which have plagued Gauteng.
The forum was established at the conclusion of a meeting between these organisations, the leadership of the Gauteng SAPS and more than 230 representatives of shopping centres, security companies and retailers, the parties said in a joint statement.
“We need to share intelligence to create solutions. The importance given to the issue by Gauteng SAPS senior leadership and industry stakeholders is a step to the right direction,” said SACSC CEO Amanda Stops.
“When it comes to stemming and preventing crime, we are all accountable and we’re all responsible. It’s about working together and creating a relationship that is there in good and bad. We all have the responsibility of fostering relations and sharing information to prevent crime and provide a safe shopping environment for consumers.”
The parties said in their statement that the meeting provided a platform for the Gauteng police leadership, led by provincial commissioner Lesetja Mothiba, to inform all affected business parties of the most recent developments regarding the robberies. “The meeting also enabled a frank exchange of views and suggestions of aspects which could enhance the mutual cooperation between the SAPS and business. A number of recommendations were made, including the creation of a sustainable collaborative anti-crime forum,” they said.
“The aim of the forum would be to share all information on shopping centre-related crime; no matter how big or small, and to use this as an input to improving prevention and combating responses to the ongoing wave of crimes against the retail industry,” said Graham Wright, who heads the Consumer Goods Council’s crime risk initiative. — © 2014 NewsCentral Media
