Emergency Contact Numbers

Brackenfell Police Station 021 980 5700

Ambulance: 10177

Crime Stop: 08600 10111

City of Cape Town General Emergency: 107

Cellphone Emergency: 112 (MTN, Vodacom, Cell C and 8ta)

AIDS Helpline: 0800 012 322

Childline: 0800 055 555 / 021 461 1114

Red Cross Children’s Hospital Poison Line: 021 689 5227 Safe Schools: 0800 45 46 47

Western Cape Government: 0860 142 142

Fire Department: 021 480 7700

Electricity: 0860 103 089

Water: (24 hours) 0860 103 054

Sea Rescue: 021 449 3500

Mountain Rescue: 021 948 9900

Child Emergency: 0800 123 123

Disaster Management: 080 911 4357

Citizens Advice Bureau: 021 422 0300

Consumer Protector: 0800 007 081

Lifeline 021 422 0300

How to Handle Security Situations

What to do during an armed robbery

The likelihood of an armed robbery turning violent at places like a shopping centre, store, warehouse, factory, distribution centre, etc., (which may result in injuries to personnel and customers) can be effectively reducedby the behaviour of the victims.  DONT RESIST THE ROBBERS. Do exactly as you are told. The robbers are in control of the situation because they are armed, and it serves no purpose to resist their instructions – you will only be putting lives at risk.  RELAX. Regulate your breathing, taking long, slow deliberate breaths. This slows your heart rate, and helps you to relax.  SPEAK SLOWLY. Don’t shout or raise your voice to the robbers. They are probably more nervous than you and it won’t take much for them to lose any self-control.  DON’T MAKE ANY SUDDEN MOVEMENTS. When you want to do something – even if it is upon instruction from the robber o Tell them what you are doing. For example: “I am going to take the keys out of my pocket now” o And then proceed slowly  DON’T SET OFF THE SIREN. Activate any alarms only if you can do so secretly and/or without being seen. Many armed robberies have turned violent (with hostages taken) because the audible siren puts the robbers into a panic.  DON’T LOOK THE ROBBER DIRECTLY IN THE FACE. The robber may believe that you are trying to memorise their features for later identification and this could lead to a violent reaction.  GIVE THE ROBBERS TIME TO LEAVE. Don’t shout or do anything else until the robbers have left the premises.  DON’T TRY TO BE A HERO. Don’t attempt to prevent the robbers’ get-away. Many armed robberies have turned violent as the robbers are leaving, resulting in deaths and injuries to staff and customers.  INSTALL A SILENT ALARM SYSTEM.  GET LISTED ON THE HOUT BAY CBD EARLY WARNING SMS SYSTEM.  REPORT THE INCIDENT TO THE SAPS. Unless a theft, robbery or incident is reported to SAPS and a case opened – it didn’t happen.  Comply with a robber’s demands. Remain calm and think clearly. Make mental notes of the robber’s physical description and other observations important to law enforcement officers.  If you have a silent alarm and can reach it without being noticed, use it. Otherwise, wait until the robber leaves.  Be careful, most robbers are just as nervous as you are How to survive a hijacking situation  If confronted by hijackers, the aim is to survive the crime  Accept that you are going to lose your vehicle  Do not lose your cool and do not threaten or challenge the hijacker  Do exactly as told by the hijackers  Surrender your vehicle and move away. Remember property can be replaced. Lives cannot.  Don’t reach for your purse or valuables. This may threaten the hijackers and you may get hurt