IF YOU are a domestic worker and a group of men arrive at your workplace and say your boss sent them to fix something in the house, do not open for them.

Chances are they are robbers.

This is the new tactic criminals are using to rob people's homes. Primrose residents in Ekurhuleni have tasted the medicine with two homes being attacked in less than a month.

Police arrested a 23-year-old man on Monday and are looking for another for the same crime. A van full of goods taken from one of the houses was recovered.

Relating to one incident, police spokesperson Inspector William Masondo said: "The three men entered a house and tied up a 44-year-old domestic worker. They then packed clothes and electrical appliances into their vehicle.

"Neighbours alerted the police who swiftly acted on the information. They were still at the house when the police arrived and one of them was arrested."

Crime stats released in September by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa showed that house robberies had increased by a massive 27,3percent.

Meanwhile, municipality officials have warned people to be wary of fake water meter readers who also demand R30.

Spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said: "Motla Engineering and Metering Online are the only two companies that are appointed by council to do meter reading in Ekurhuleni. The costs associated with meter readings are fully paid for by the council."