Making Your Car Bulletproof To Protect Against Hijackers

Making Your Car Bulletproof To Protect Against Hijackers

Safety Explored

 

By Jarryd Neves

 

Making your car bulletproof to protect against hijackers should be an option, especially if you take into consideration that South Africa is one of the most dangerous countries in the world in terms of murder and is considered to be the hijacking capital.

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On a daily basis, CCTV footage circulates on social media, showing myriad hijacking attempts on innocent citizens.

While quick-thinking individuals can save their car — and more importantly, their lives — others are not so lucky.

 

According to Stats SA, a staggering 99,000 hijackings (estimated) occurred during the 2019/2020 period.

Vehicle theft was estimated at 88,000, with a good chunk (45,000) in the Gauteng province. Some criminals are not content with just taking the vehicle — but the driver’s life, too.

So, what to do?

Previously reserved for celebrities, VIPs and politicians, bulletproof transport has become increasingly popular with people fed up with SA’s high crime rate.

Armoured cars are becoming more popular with South Africans who want to feel safer, especially with the rampant crime rates that rock the country.

“Once you’re used to an armoured vehicle, you feel naked in a vehicle that isn’t,” said SVI Engineering’s Business development manager Nicol Louw.

Louw told BizNews about the demand for bulletproof vehicles in South Africa, particularly for businesses — but for private citizens too.

“If you need to drive your kids around, you want to be safe. Once you’re used to the safety [of an armoured vehicle], it feels weird to drive in a vehicle without that protection.”

Bulletproof vehicle door and window being tested

Pretoria-based SVI specialises in the armouring and building of vehicles. While most contracts are for business owners, Louw remarked that a few private individuals have opted for this enhanced protection. “People go through traumatic experiences like hijackings [and] decide they need an armoured vehicle. Sometimes we sell one right there and then.”

Interestingly, the unprecedented riots that gripped KZN and parts of Gauteng spurred myriad people into action, with a “definite spike” in demand being recorded, he said. “We are building quite a few vehicles for KwaZulu-Natal clients.”

Most popular are the double-cab bakkies. Already built to carry heavier loads, they are also more cost-effective to armour.

B4 armouring — protection from handguns — adds 280kg to the vehicle’s mass, with additions such as 21mm glass and Kevlar protection.

For those wanting more, B6 protection — which can sustain gunfire from an AK-47, for example — uses 38mm thick glass and steel armour plating. “B4 is R432,000 while B6 costs R655,000, excluding VAT.”

The photo below shows the difference between the B4 and B6 ballistic glass.

Comparison of two bullet proof grass armouring. The photo shows the difference between the B4 and B6 ballistic glass.

He notes that B6 is the highest level of protection available to a civilian without a special permit.

Theoretically, any car can receive B4 armouring — but popular vehicles include Toyota Fortuners, Land Cruisers and luxury sedans.

“A lot of business people that work with cash need to run it from their businesses to the bank — and do so safely. We do plenty of discreet SUVs at B6 level as they blend into the traffic. You can [transport] your family in it — and millions of rands to the bank, with no issue.”

Since the beginning of this year, South African consumers have been able to walk into a Ford dealership and order an armoured Ranger bakkie, underscoring how mainstream this once niche sector is becoming. “Since partnering with Ford, we’ve sold over 50 vehicles through dealerships.”

Armoured Ford Rangers

But it seems that while private individuals are starting to see the benefits of bulletproof transport, the business sector remains the biggest customer of armoured vehicles.

“The mining sector is massive — as are the security companies.” While cash-in-transit heists remain a serious problem in South Africa, Louw notes that criminals are no longer content with just targeting for money.

“If you’ve got valuables that you need to transport, you can’t send it out on the road without having guards [following closely]. That goes for cigarettes, cell phones – we even hear that Takealot vehicles are taking hits at the moment.”

Article Credit to MyBroadBand.

 

What do you think of bullet proofing your vehicle? Do you think it is a necessity for private vehicles to have some form of bullet proofing? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you found our content informative, do like it and share it with your friends.

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Vehicle Crime Has Evolved Over The Past 25 Years

Vehicle Crime Has Evolved Over The Past 25 Years

Crime Trends, Safety & Security Explored

Vehicle crime has evolved over the past 25 years, and it is unlikely to evoke sentimentality but rather paint a very insightful picture.

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Usually, looking back 25 years can be nostalgic.

The latest Tracker Vehicle Crime Index reveals vehicle crime statistics since the company’s inception 25 years ago, recorded from its installed vehicle base and analysed in line with its financial year.

The statistics indicate the level of vehicle crime was significant in the early years of vehicle tracking, with vehicle crime activities affecting 4.5% of Tracker’s customer base at the peak in 1999. However, this rate declined as vehicle tracking matured and the insurance industry drove an increase in subscriptions to vehicle tracking services. The level of vehicle crime has been consistent since 2012 at 0.7% of Tracker’s customer base, dropping to 0.6% for the past three years.

25 years of vehicle crime.
Image: Supplied

Nevertheless, the nature of vehicle crime is changing. For the past three years, hijacking has been on the rise and is more prevalent than theft. Hijacking attributed a higher percentage of the Tracker vehicle crime activities in 2021 when compared to theft, averaging a 54%/46% split. This is higher than the last time hijacking overtook theft in 1999 with a 525/48% split.

“The slant towards hijacking is most likely an opportunistic tactic, with a noticeable increase in vehicles targeted for their loads, particularly fast-moving consumable goods,” says Duma Ngcobo, chief operating officer at Tracker SA.

“Drivers carrying large amounts of cash are also targeted. South Africans should be wary and remain vigilant at all times, especially when returning home from shopping or when goods bought online are delivered to their homes. Hijackings are often violent and there are instances when a hostage is taken.”

“Other techniques include criminals impersonating law enforcements officials to commit hijackings, a method known as blue light robberies. Criminals also commit vehicle theft using online selling platforms, where sellers hand over goods on receipt of a fake payment. Sometimes, criminals pretend there is something wrong with your vehicle, a method known as flagging down. They also take advantage of drivers stopped on the side of the road or those picking up hitchhikers,” says Ngcobo.

The province that has always been at the forefront of vehicle crime is Gauteng, clocking an average 64% of total vehicle crime activities in 25 years. Yet, for the past three years, Gauteng has attributed a smaller percentage of national vehicle crime activities at an average of 56%. This as the other two dominant provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape, start accounting for more national vehicle crime activities. KwaZulu-Natal has moved from an average of 16% of vehicle crime activities to 19% for the past three years, while Western Cape has moved from 6% to 9%.

The theft and hijacking split per province. Image: Supplied

When examining the split between theft and hijacking at provincial level for the past year, six provinces experienced a greater numbers of hijackings than thefts. The Western Cape has the highest incidence of hijacking compared to theft with a 78%/22% split. Most of this vehicle crime occurs in the greater Western Cape metropolitan area.

Main Image: For the past three years, vehicle hijacking has been on the rise and is more prevalent than theft.
Image: djedzura / 123rf

Article Credit to BusinessTech Motoring.

 

Does affordability play a big role when you shop for a new vehicle and do you think it’s the same for most South Africans? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you found our content informative, do like it and share it with your friends.

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These Cars Are At High Risk Of Theft In SA

These Cars Are At High Risk Of Theft In SA

Crime Trends, Safety & Security Explored

These cars are at high risk of theft according security company Fidelity ADT who highlighted that incident involving remote-jamming devices have become an everyday occurrence in SA.

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Residents need to be especially mindful of ensuring their vehicles are locked before leaving them unattended.

Car jamming occurs when a criminal uses signal-blocking technology to prevent a vehicle from locking properly.

South African motorists often walk away from their cars while pressing their remote without ensuring that their vehicles are physically locked, Fidelity ADT said.

“Unfortunately, residents are too complacent when it comes to movable property outside their security perimeter. Last week alone, there were twelve reported incidents where cars were stolen, six of which occurred in Alberton,” said Michelle Pelser, Fidelity ADT JHB South branch manager.

Pelser said that the following vehicles are considered ‘high-risk’ and that a tracking unit should be installed where possible:

  • VW Polo sedan
  • VW Polo hatchback
  • Toyota Fortuner
  • Toyota Etios
  • Toyota Yaris
  • Toyota Hilux
  • Ford Ranger

Pelser encouraged residents to park inside their perimeter security if possible and, if not, to ensure that they do not leave any valuables in their vehicles if they are parked on the pavement.

“It’s especially important not to leave any valuable items inside the car where they can be seen from the window. Rather lock these items in the boot,” she said.

She added that residents should also ensure their vehicles are locked when parked at shopping malls, schools, businesses and other unattended areas.

“The growing use of remote jamming devices to block or jam the locking mechanism of motor vehicles has unfortunately become an everyday occurrence. Always check that the car is locked by testing the door. Don’t assume that by pressing the remote locking that your car is locked,” she said.

Hotspots 

The South African Police Service (SAPS) for Q1 2021/2022, published in August, shows a steep increase in hijackings across South Africa compared to Q1 2019, despite the impact of lockdown restrictions.

The data shows that aggravated robberies such as carjacking increased by 92.2% compared to Q1 2019. By comparison, carjacking increased by 13.1% compared to Q1 2020.

As with the country’s other major crimes statistics, most hijacking cases are reported in the most populous areas.

Most carjacking cases were reported in Gauteng (2,704), followed by the KZN (820) and the Western Cape (589). Most of these hijackings take place in townships, the data showed.

The table below highlights the areas which have had the most hijacking cases reported to their respective police stations in the first quarter:

Phillipi East in the Western Cape reported the most carjackings (78), followed by Sandton in Gauteng (68) and Nyanga in the Western Cape (67).

Article Credit to BusinessTech Motoring.

 

Do you check your vehicle if it is locked before you leave it unattended? Have you ever been a victim of car jamming? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you found our content informative, do like it and share it with your friends.

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