There has been a spate of robberies at businesses in various areas across the inland region of South Africa recently where criminals have been breaking through roofs, security company Fidelity ADT has warned.

The company said the top three most affected areas are Centurion, Olievenhoutbosch, Eldoraigne and Gezina areas.

Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Marketing & Communications at Fidelity ADT, said in many of these incidents, the alarm panel or antenna of the alarm was accessed through the roof, and in some instances installed in the roof. “The criminals then break the panel or antenna which prevents alarm signals from reaching the control room,” she explained.

“We urge all business owners in these areas to consider installing off site monitoring services to reduce the chances of criminals reaching your property and gaining access to the roof. Ask your security provider if they provide Multi-camera alarm activated monitoring done by skilled operators in an offsite monitoring center. Consider installing a camera in your roof.”

Hattingh said outdoor detection beams can also be strategically placed around properties which will trigger the alarm before a criminal has the chance to get to the actual business.

She pointed out that if someone is considering a wall-top electric fence, they need to make sure that the right fence is used as well as the right installer. “The effectiveness of these fences can be compromised if the wrong fence is selected and the installation done incorrectly. Choosing the correct installer is crucial and we highly recommend getting several quotes before choosing an installer. You should consider getting a qualified consultant to write a technical specification for the fence. This specification should take into account factors including the wiring and structure of the fence, the height, number of zones required, and the lifespan of the fence. The specification should then be sent to electric fence installers operating in the area in order to compare pricing, quality and advice.”

“It is important that like any system your security is checked and maintained regularly. Please take a walk around your property and look for possible access points to your property and roof. If you suspect there are vulnerable areas, call in a security expert to help you find solutions,” she concluded.