Police in Cape Town warns on increase in car theft from alarm jamming devices
12 March 2013 | Road Safety in the Media
12 March 2013
Police in Cape Town's CBD have warned that there has been an increase in the number of criminals who jam the alarms of car owners in the city centre.
The criminals block the cars’ central locking signals with a special electronic device, reported the Cape Times.
The Central City Improvement District (CCID) said the trend was becoming so common that an average of 10 criminals were arrested per month for this crime.
The men watched motorists parking their cars and when they activated their central locking, pressed their device, which blocked the signal of the car’s remote control.
While the owner thought his car was locked, it was in fact unlocked, and criminals could get into the car and steal what they want.
“People often look away or activate their alarm while walking away and they don’t notice that the car hasn’t been locked. The alarm lights will go off but people need to check that doors are locked or use the keys to close their cars,” said Muneeb Hendricks of the CCID.
Alarm jamming has been reported in other big cities around the country, but started in Cape Town in October, said Hendricks.
- News24
Also view:
17 Sep 2026 | From Arrive Alive
With a Level 6 Impact-Based Warning for disruptive rainfall in place across parts of KwaZulu-Natal, including eThekwini, motorists are being urged to take extra care, avoid flooded roads and make sure their vehicles are ready for hazardous driving conditions.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS)
17 Sep 2026 | From Arrive Alive
The Phuthaditjhaba Crime Intelligence Unit, in collaboration with the Public Order Police Unit, arrested four suspects from Qwaqwa and seized three illegal firearms, ammunition and a vehicle following an intelligence-driven operation.
On Wednesday, 16 September 2026, at approximately 21:00, police
17 Sep 2026 | From Arrive Alive
When a vegetation fire broke out alongside the highway in Kempton Park, our Fidelity SecureFire GreenMachine crews were on the ground and ready for action.
Our firefighters worked quickly to contain and extinguish the blaze, preventing it from spreading further along the roadside vegetation.
Once
17 Sep 2026 | From Arrive Alive
Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy officially launched the National Truck Stop Framework (NTSF) at the N17 Truck Stop today.
National Truck Stop Framework (NTSF) outlines the roadmap for the planning, classification, investment, and standardisation of the truck stop in South Africa
#NTSF
Truck
17 Sep 2026 | From Arrive Alive
Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: I have received a report from the Road Traffic Inspectorate Medway indicating that there is heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm in Estcourt and along the N3.
In this regard, we request motorists to exercise extra caution—reduce speed and keep the following
17 Sep 2026 | From Arrive Alive
Another woman's body has been discovered in Dawn Park. The incident will be added to the investigations into the deaths of women in Ekurhuleni.
The unidentified body was discovered earlier this morning, 17 September 2026. This brings the total number of bodies discovered to nine in two months.
A
17 Sep 2026 | From Arrive Alive
The South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) has successfully concluded a pilot of a hybrid training model designed to make apprentice training more accessible to employers and learners across South Africa.
The
17 Sep 2026 | From Arrive Alive
Multiple people sustained injuries following a serious head on collision on Osindisweni Main Road in the Verulam area on Thursday morning.
KZN VIP Medical teams were dispatched after the Control Centre received requests for urgent assistance from passing motorists.
Upon arrival, medics established
17 Sep 2026 | From Arrive Alive
A motor vehicle crash has been reported on Jellicoe Road in Pinetown.
Emergency services are on scene.
Motorists are advised to approach the area with caution and expect possible delays
Durban Metro Police Service