hijacking

Developed by SQAS-SA

HI-JACKINGS

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOUR LIVE AND THAT OF YOUR VEHICLE OCCUPANTS ARE MUCH MORE VALUABLE AND IMPORTANT THAN THE VEHICLE

DEFINITION

• There is no such crime as vehicle hijacking and perpetrators are charged with “robbery with aggravating circumstances” • Robbery with aggravating circumstances is the unlawful and intentional forceful removal and appropriation in aggravating circumstances of movable tangible property belonging to another.

AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE HI-JACKINGS

Various vehicle telematics and anti-theft systems/divices, to prevent vehicle theft, have resulted in a dramatic increase in vehicle hijackings. · High unemployment · Element of surprise · Well organized syndicates · Targeting of specific vehicle brands · Ever increasing and willing buyers’ market · Ever increasing cross border market · Firearms and dangerous weapons used during hijackings

TYPES OF HIJACKINGS

• Heavy Commercial Vehicles (Freight) • Medium/Light Commercial Vehicles (Freight/Transport) • Transport purposes – (By criminals as getaway vehicles after • serious crimes have been committed • Opportunistic (Showmanship and proof of belonging to gangs) • Vehicle Theft Syndicates

WEAPONS OF CHOICE

PREFERRED CHOICE Handguns o Revolvers o Pistols ALTERNATIVE CHOICES • Shotguns • High caliber assault rifles • Knives

MOST VULNERABLE DAYS AND TIMES

• Daily peaking on Fridays • 05:30 – 07:30 in the mornings • 17:00 – 21:00 at night

PLACES AND METHODS USED BY HIJACKERS

• After Hours in parking areas of businesses (Employees working Late) • Commercial vehicles stopping to pick up “prostitutes” (Pre-planned by hijack syndicates) • At truck stops • Commercial vehicles whilst in motion going up steep terrain • In the driveways of residential areas • Areas with easy and accessible escape routes • Vehicles stationary at any traffic signs or intersections • Vehicles stationary next to the road • Quite and remote areas • Outside schools and universities • Vehicle idling when picking up /off-loading passengers • Hijackers posing as buyers reacting to an advert • Well known so called “Blue Light Gangs” posing as law enforcement officers

HIJACK PREVENTION/AVOIDANCE

If you have a CCTV system at home arrange with your service provider to enable you to access the cameras from your smart phone or tablet. There are many such applications available on the market. Make sure that you have CCTV cameras that covers the street in front of your house as well as your driveway. The following are applicable with or without a CCTV system. Invest in a hands free car kit to ensure that you can communicate freely through your mobile phone to prevent unnessecary dostractions.

DEPARTING FROM YOUR RESIDENCE

• Before departure access you CCTV cameras and look for any people movement or suspect vehicles outside your house • If Dark, switch on all outside lights • Let someone observe your departure on the CCTV system or from an advantage viewpoint inside the house to be able to raise an alarm should you be overpowered • If you can access your CCTV system via your smartphone activate as such and view on screen when vehicle bound. If not be aware of your surroundings at all times. • If possible – reverse park your vehicle in your garage or driveway as it will assist in getting away from the hijackers must easier (only if it is not life threatening). • Get in your vehicle and start the engine before you open the gate if motorised. If the gate is not motorised, open it and observe the outside street and pavement areas. • Leave the premises and close motorised gate as you drive out. If not motorised, first observe the area before getting out of your vehicle to close the gates

APPROACHING AND ARRIVING AT HOME

• Mentally prepare yourself to go into alert mode whilst driving home and increase the alertness when you are close to home in your neighborhood. • Reduce noise levels in your car and turn down the radio sound level. • Look in your rearview mirror for any suspect vehicle/s that might be following you (If been followed, drive to an area where there is a lot of vehicle and pedestrian movement or drive to your nearest police station) • When close to home, (50 -100 Meters) contact a family member and ask them to open the gates and check the street for any suspect vehicles/persons. (Hijackers could have observed your daily routine and not necessary follow you to hijack you) • If you have access to your CCTV system via your phone access them and check for any suspect vehicles/movement outside your house. Keep the cameras live on your phone until you are inside and the gates are closed. • On arrival be extra vigilant and if easily accessible apply reverse parking. This also allows you to more aware of your surroundings as you will be able to detect movement as you are facing roadside whilst reversing.

IMPORTANT ACTIONS, SIGNS AND OBSERVATIONS

• Make sure your driveway and surroundings are well lit and clear from shrubbery where hijackers can hide. • Be aware of unknown vehicles and pedestrians close to your house – if unknown to you - do not turn into your driveway – pass and do a second approach from another direction if possible. Keep family members informed. • Make sure that you know your neighbors • If you have pets (animals) that normally greets you on arrival at the gate and they are nowhere to be seen - pass and do a second approach from another direction if possible. • Phone and ask family members to check the driveway and street area before your arrival • Make sure your premises are well lit and that street lights are working • If you have armed response and you are concern about your safety arrange for them to meet you at your house or nearby to escort you home. • Be extra vigilant when you have small children with you. Safeguarding your vehicles keys is crucial as to prevent your children from being taken with your vehicle. • When parking your vehicle be extra vigilant and check vehicle mirrors at all times • You are at your most vulnerable when getting into and exiting your vehicles – be alert and observe • Do not sit/sleep (stationary) in your vehicle unless it is necessary and safe to do so

IMPORTANT ACTIONS, SIGNS AND OBSERVATIONS WHEN APPROACHING YOUR VEHICLE

• Always have your key/s ready and make sure they are not visible (as far as possible a vehicle key should be kept separate from all other keys) • Observe and inspect the outside, inside and underneath (if possible) the vehicle before unlocking. • Trip planning is crucial and should be done well in advanced to ensure that you are familiar with the route. Some vehicle navigation systems allows you to pre-play your route. • If possible make notes of law enforcement premises on your route, including hospitals and emergency services • If possible, always drive with your windows closed and doors locked. • Always try and leave at least a half a vehicle length between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you when stopping. This will assist with escaping if necessary. • Avoid high crime areas or places/routes you are not familiar with. • Avoid driving between 23:00 – 05:00 when the roads are quiet. • Never pick up hitchhikers • If possible, never drive alone. • If possible use alternative routes driving to and from work

GOLDEN RULES

• Do not leave valuables in full sight – lock it in the boot • If approached by strangers who looks suspect drive away • Keep doors locked and windows closed • Always be on the lookout for suspect vehicles/persons • Always have alternative routes planned • When approaching a stop street and/or robot during quite road traffic conditions slow down and if it is safe to “skip” the robot/stop street, do so or alternatively reduce speed and wait for robot to turn green again. • Avoid people standing at traffic lights/stop streets – do not open your window and do not engage them. • If you feel unsafe or suspect that you are being followed – drive to the nearest police station. • Have police stations and emergency services and close family members on speed dial. • Try to always have a pen and notebook in your vehicle to take notes when required. • Avoid stopping at minor accident scenes in remote areas – rather report it to the nearest police station • Do not approach your parked vehicle when you notice suspect persons in the vicinity of your vehicle – wait till it is safe before proceeding • When seeing obstacles used to barricade the road or forces you to reduce speed – make a U-turn and take another route • Do not stop in deserted places • Always carry your cellphone on you

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHEN A SUSPECT VEHICLE IS A POLICE VEHICLE

• The occupant/s of the unmarked vehicle should identify the vehicle as a police vehicle by means of a; • Blue light • Loudspeaker • Police insignia Actions • If still unsafe do the following; o Switch on your hazards and indicate to the suspect vehicle to follow you o Do not speed as you might be seen as a suspect fleeing from a crime scene or carrying illegal items/substances with you o Drive to the nearest police station or public area which is well lid and populated o Always have your driver’s license and any other form of identification with you

VEHICLE RECORDKEEPING

If possible always ensure that you have hard and/or electronic copies of the following documentation stored in a safe location. If possible – upload these to a cloud based storage facility like google drive or drop box for ease of access. • Copy of your ID • Copy of your driver’s license • Photograph of your vehicle/s from all angles • Photograph of the license plate • Photograph of the license disk • Photographs of interior • Copy of vehicle registration document • Vehicle Make, range and model • Details of vehicle tracking company and your PASSWORD which is required when you phone them

ACTIONS BEFORE AND DURING A HIJACK

• Stay calm and do not threaten or challenge the hijacker/s. • Do not resist and do as you are told • Leave all your valuables in the vehicle and do not try to reach for it • Move away from the vehicle to minimize the chances of being taken with them • Adhere to all their demands and requests • Observe your surroundings and the hijacker/s without making eye contact – they might harm you if they believe that you can recognise them • Raise your hand or put them behind your head as a sign of submission • Use the observation and description techniques as listed on our virtual policing website • Do not make eye contact when forced to drive with a hijacker/s, but remain observant.

VEHICLE TRACKING

Inform you vehicle tracking company and inform the police that your vehicle is equipped with a live or passive (to be activated after an incident) tracking system.