Police, residents launch Stanford Road awareness drive

Police and residents have taken to the streets with banners in an attempt to warn motorists to be more vigilant when driving in and around the Stanford Road area.

The awareness drive is aimed at reducing snatch and grab incidents at intersections along Stanford Road, mainly in the Kensington area.

Police spokeswoman Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said that the idea was to advise motorists at the intersections to keep their doors locked and windows rolled up.

“There has been an increase in snatch and grab type robberies in this area, particularly the various intersections. The main targets are motorists talking on their cellphones with their windows down while stopped at the intersections. The thieves then run up and grab the cellphone before fleeing. Other instances include laptop and handbags on the passenger seats with the windows down,” she said.

“Snatch and grab related incidents can be avoided as a large part of these crimes are committed by opportunists.”

Police and residents are standing at the busy Stanford and Harrower Road intersection during peak hour traffic this morning.

- Gareth Wilson