New criminal tactic hitting one of South Africa’s semigration hotspots
Plettenberg Bay, a semigration hotspot in South Africa’s Western Cape, has recently become the target of a new criminal tactic that threatens the security of residents and businesses.
Ivor Claasen, Garden Route branch manager for Fidelity ADT, said suspects have been seen using white paint to obstruct the view of CCTV cameras, allowing them to move undetected during break-ins.
The method was highlighted in local community policing meetings where crime trends are discussed with the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Claasen advised property owners to use additional external perimeter security measures to protect their surveillance equipment and deter potential intruders.
Plettenberg Bay’s appeal has surged in recent years, establishing it as a prime semigration destination for remote workers or people looking to upgrade their lifestyle.
Several factors contribute to this trend.
The town offers a serene coastal lifestyle and calm environment away from urban centres, and it has well-developed infrastructure and amenities, making it great for professionals who want to relocate without compromising their careers.
Preliminary property data for 2024 indicates that average property prices in the area have increased by 25% on this trend, building on a similar 25% rise in 2023.
The average property value has increased from R2.4 million to R4.1 million in the last four years. This consistent growth highlights the increasing demand for real estate in the town.
The semigration trend is not unique to Plettenberg Bay but is observed across various coastal towns in the Western Cape.
Notably, other areas such as Langebaan and Hermanus also attract buyers looking for a lifestyle change.
Despite the Plett’s charm and the influx of new residents, the recent criminal activities pose a real concern for the community.
Criminals using white paint to disable security cameras represent a relatively sophisticated approach to exploiting vulnerabilities in security systems.
In response, security experts recommend that residents and business owners assess and enhance their current security measures.
Applying better external perimeter defences, such as protective casings for cameras and motion-activated lighting, can better counter or deter these criminal strategies.
Plett crime stats
Available data from the South African Police Service (SAPS), tracking crime stats for the first three quarters of the 2024 calendar year, shows that Plett has seen a declining trend in break-ins over the past five years.
However, the five-year data includes the years that crime operations were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.
Year-on-year, burglary levels have remained relatively flat with 226 cases reported between January and August 2024, versus 224 reported over the same period in 2023.
These are split between burglaries at non-residential premises, which have ticked up (55 in 2024 versus 33 in 2023) over the period, and burglaries at residential premises, which have dropped (171 reports vs 191 in 2023).
Other popular semigration hotspots along the Garden Route, however, have recorded relatively high levels of burglary activities.
For example, areas such as Knysna and Oudsthoorn rank among the top 30 worst stations in the Western Cape for break-ins.
However, this comes with the additional caveat that crimes in these areas are reported at centralised precincts that may cover a much larger area than just the towns themselves.
Nevertheless, the introduction of new tactics among criminals highlights the evolving nature of security threats in the region and poses risks going forward.
The security experts advised continued collaboration between residents, security companies, and law enforcement agencies to ensure continued protection.
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