Editorial Comment: Let’s tighten security against robbers

THERE is no doubt that armed robbers have taken their game to a new level.

They are on prowl and have become more daring as they continue to grab headlines with each passing day.

They target mainly service stations, mansions, schools, cinemas, watering holes and churches.

Poor communities, too, and squatter camps, have not been spared.

Wherever, and whenever they pounce, they leave a trail of destruction. Kids take ages to get over such gory scenes they would have witnessed while the faint-hearted struggle to recover from the horrific ordeals.

When they successfully pounce on their targets, they strip occupants of their valuables, leaving them counting huge losses.

The notorious ones commit all heinous acts like rape, battery and even murder.

In most cases, gunfire has been exchanged, especially after a tip-off with security chiefs.

Nowadays, daring robbers are preying on their victims armed with machetes, axes, guns and metal bars.

Police chiefs have on many occasions been warning people to tighten security at homes and workplaces.

In today’s issue, national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, warned businesses to tighten security at their premises following a surge in robberies around the country.

Most of the targets include dealers, companies and individuals who are known for keeping large sums of cash at home.

The time has now come for all of us to confront this cancer as a nation.

We should fight against this crime and these daring criminals.

And, the police are right, we also have a role, as the targets, to play in ensuring we don’t turn ourselves into easy prey. A laxity in security has seen most companies, homes and individuals being raided.

In this era, where technology is taking over the world, it’s never too late to invest in modern-day security systems.

Companies and individuals need to invest in such technology as alarms and closed-circuit television (CCTV) to deter daring robbers.

In some communities, they are protected by the Neighbourhood Watch Committees, which are still doing wonders.

By joining such community-based initiatives, we can all win the war against daring these daring and merciless robbers.

However, there are some top dealers who still keep large sums of money at home.

This is never safer since it attracts robbers. In most cases, when it comes to such heists, it’s very likely that it will be an inside job.

To the companies hiring security firms, the time has come for them to conduct a serious scrutiny of partners who come claiming they are there to provide a service to protect them.

In the neighbourhoods, we need to be vigilant and avoid using dangerous routes, which are known to be hotspots, for daring robbers.

All in all, we simply need to tighten security, both at home and work, for us to get a chance to win this fight.