In 2013, shopping centre armed robbery, including retailers and jewellers, increased by 60% from 274 incidents to 438 incidents with the financial loss increasing from R20.5 million to R38.7 million. The number of armed robberies involving jewellers increased by 63% from 38 incidents to 62 with the financial loss increasing from R12.9 million to R16.8 million.
A trend that has become an area of concern in the jewellery industry is follow-home robbery where jewellers and or customers are followed home and hi-jacked for valuables. This will be a large area of focus for the JCRI in 2014.
"Among the things we will be focusing on are technology, as means to assist the jewellers in their fight against crime, and certain procedural changes such as changing the route you take and times you leave and being vigilant," says Leigh Brown from the CGRI.
Other ways of avoiding becoming a victim of this kind of robbery are to ensure no one is watching you or following you and to find alternate methods to transport cash and jewellery.
"The South African Police Service understands the efficiencies and advantages of working with one central representing entity as opposed to individual businesses. Therefore the JCRI liaises with SAPS on behalf of the industry acting as a single voice," concludes Brown.
The jewellery industry is not only plagued by armed robbery. Other crimes that affect the industry include thefts, scams and burglaries as well commercial crime and fraud.
Members of the public with any information or tipoffs linked to jewellery store related crime including fraud, shoplifting and violent crimes can call +27 (0)861 101 726.
