Elsies River cops have raised the alarm about young laaities and skollies targeting unsuspecting motorists on various roads in the precinct.
Police station commander, Brigadier Sandile Sonjani, warns that boys as young as 12 are behind smash and grab incidents which result in cellphones, laptops, handbags and other valuables being stolen.
He says cops are worried about the number of cases and on Friday embarked on an awareness campaign at various hotspots, including Avonwood Road, Halt Road, Francie van Zyl Drive and 35th Avenue.
The officers, along with neighbourhood watch patrollers, handed out pamphlets and spoke to passing motorists.
“What we find is that the gangsters, along with the children, are behind the incidents as motorists are less likely to suspect children. But boys as young as 12 are not only scouting, but they are also smashing and grabbing,” says Sonjani.
He says in some cases, despite the skelms being caught red-handed, the complainants do not see the cases through after getting their valuables back.
“Many incidents occur on a daily basis, but only a few are ever reported. When these cases are reported the complainants lose interest.
“Many of the cases are often made for insurance purposes and thus perpetrators are never linked.
“The victims have to open criminal cases for investigation so that the perpetrators could be arrested and brought before a court of law.
“If no cases are made it is the perception of perpetrators that they are getting away with these criminal acts, thus encouraging this type of behaviour.”