Not only the police are at their wits' end with petty criminals. Businesses in Makhado (Louis Trichardt) have now also opted to become crime fighters in an effort to curb the rise in break-ins.

The latest actions follow after more cases were reported of thieves breaking into parked vehicles and stealing valuables such as cash, cell phones and laptops. Over the last few weeks, more and more residents have become victim to these criminals.

Last week, Peter Straughan from Leshiba Wilderness was outraged when he returned to his bakkie after shopping to find his petrol container missing. Straughan said the rope with which the container had been fastened onto the bakkie had been cut loose. “How are you supposed to do shopping? You can’t lock everything inside of your car, and even then these criminals will break your window to get at your valuables,” he said.

This new onslaught has forced some businesses to appoint private vehicle guards to watch over their clients’ vehicles.

Makhado police spokesperson W/O Takalani Madzhigili confirmed this week that the police had received several complaints about theft out of vehicles. “Our members are doing everything in their power to reduce the occurrence of such cases in future,” said Madzhigili. “We need the assistance of the public to combat this crime,” he added.

He advised residents not to leave valuables in their vehicles. "If you absolutely have to leave such things behind, make sure it is in the cubby hole or hidden under the seat," he said. Madzhigili also advised residents to make sure that their vehicles are always properly locked and the windows closed. “Those who use remote-control locking devices are urged to check physically whether their doors have in fact locked,” he said.