A SERIES of nearly 20 robberies in shopping malls and complexes have spurred Cape Town authorities into action ahead of the festive season.
Police said 21 people had been arrested and others were identified with the help of CCTV cameras.
Khayelitsha Community Trust CEO Mkhululi Gaula confirmed that Khayelitsha Mall had also been the target of criminals.
He said they had taken some measures to ensure the safety of businesses and customers in the area.
"Prior to the improvement of security at the mall, it was open and there were many getaway exits for criminals," he said.
"We used to have armed robberies at the mall once a week.
"We then appointed a security company to install gates to address the openness and getaway exits by criminals."
Canal Walk Mall's CEO, Gavin Wood, said their management had recently met police and community safety MEC Dan Plato in a bid to ensure safe shopping in the area.
He said a full risk assessment of the shopping centre had been conducted.
"We have increased our security personnel and have also deployed more undercover guards," he added.
Wood said they were introducing further technology which enhanced their existing CCTV and other security infrastructure.
The mall will be conducting random security searches at various entrances.
In addition, Wood said, perimeter fencing and improved access control would be installed before the festive season.
Police spokesman Andre Traut said a suspect had recently been arrested in connection with a robbery which took place at Canal Walk Mall.
The police were investigating whether a syndicate was responsible for the spate of robberies at malls and small complexes, he said.
newsdesk@sowetan.co.za
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Malls put on tighter security
A SERIES of nearly 20 robberies in shopping malls and complexes have spurred Cape Town authorities into action ahead of the festive season.
Police said 21 people had been arrested and others were identified with the help of CCTV cameras.
Khayelitsha Community Trust CEO Mkhululi Gaula confirmed that Khayelitsha Mall had also been the target of criminals.
He said they had taken some measures to ensure the safety of businesses and customers in the area.
"Prior to the improvement of security at the mall, it was open and there were many getaway exits for criminals," he said.
"We used to have armed robberies at the mall once a week.
"We then appointed a security company to install gates to address the openness and getaway exits by criminals."
Canal Walk Mall's CEO, Gavin Wood, said their management had recently met police and community safety MEC Dan Plato in a bid to ensure safe shopping in the area.
He said a full risk assessment of the shopping centre had been conducted.
"We have increased our security personnel and have also deployed more undercover guards," he added.
Wood said they were introducing further technology which enhanced their existing CCTV and other security infrastructure.
The mall will be conducting random security searches at various entrances.
In addition, Wood said, perimeter fencing and improved access control would be installed before the festive season.
Police spokesman Andre Traut said a suspect had recently been arrested in connection with a robbery which took place at Canal Walk Mall.
The police were investigating whether a syndicate was responsible for the spate of robberies at malls and small complexes, he said.
newsdesk@sowetan.co.za
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
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