. Sea Point restaurants are on high alert as thieves target patrons, prompting community vigilance.
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Residents together with tourists have been warned to be aware of thieves targeting patrons at restaurants in Sea Point, stealing cellphones and bags.
According to the Sea Point Central Improvement District (CID), arrests have been made and they believe a group of robbers are behind the syndicate.
They have asked the public to be vigilant.
“Across the city, there has been an increase in thefts targeting cellphones and bags at restaurants.
"Unfortunately, Sea Point has also experienced these incidents, with organised syndicates operating in the area,” Sea Point CID said.
“While arrests have successfully been made to disrupt their activities, multiple groups continue to target unsuspecting patrons.
"These criminals are quick and tend to focus on busy establishments where distractions make it easier for them to strike.
“We urge everyone to remain vigilant and take precautions.
“Never leave your belongings unattended or hanging over your chair, as this makes them an easy target.
“By staying aware and cautious, we can help prevent these crimes and keep our community safe.”
Queries to police and further information from the CID about the incidents went unanswered on Sunday.
Sea Point ward councillor, Nicola Jowell, said they completed the installation of CCTV cameras which may help curb crime and managed to make an arrest of an accused car thief.
“As part of my ward allocation funding for last year I had put aside funding for a cyclops/surveillance camera that would cover the Queens Beach and Saunders' Beach area.
"This side had no camera coverage and we all know how busy it is there,” she said via her Facebook page.
“The camera was installed and is already showing its worth - in the first two weeks since installation a car break-in was seen and the suspect was identified.
"The information is then relayed to the Law Enforcement and Metro vehicles in the area while the camera operators follow the suspect, without him being aware at all.
“He was stopped by Law Enforcement and arrested.
“I have previously funded LPR cameras in the area. In the next financial year there will be three more cameras going up to cover some blind spots."
Jowell called on patrons to be vigilant indicating that the robbers operated in a group.
"Unfortunately restaurant theft of handbags and other unattended items is a continual concern across the city," she detailed.
"The same groups operate in restaurants not just in Sea Point. The modus operandi is to come in as a group and either distract patrons or staff or sit at an adjacent table or chair to the person they intend to steal from.
"They will target handbags slung over the back of a chair, under a chair or on an empty chair and the removal is done with precision and usually then immediately passed to another member of the group who exits the property.
"I am aware that there have been previous arrests. In some instances there is reasonably good footage of the suspects which not only assists with awareness but tying cases together once an arrest has been made."
Cape Argus