Illegal security guards charged

Theft out of motor vehicle has been on the rise in the country.

Local resident and chairperson of the Welview Resident’s Association, Annie Pinnock, recently said she became a victim of crime.

She alleged that a car guard at Rock Cottage in Weltevreden Park might be involved in car jamming.

This is one of many complaints that were received by the police.

Due to the complaints, Honeydew Police and Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira) carried out a massive operation at shopping complexes in the area on 24 June.

The police and Psira were adamant about checking and verifying the legitimacy of security guards.

The centres which were raided included Rock Cottage Centre, Builder’s Warehouse on Hendrick Portgieter Road and Crossley Supermarket in Zandspruit.

The operation formed part of Psira’s routine inspections to detect possible violation of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, which checks security officers operating while not trained and registered as well as security companies that employ unregistered security personnel.

Psira’s Regulations state that whether operating as an individual or working for a company, any guard must be registered with them. And operating without being registered is illegal and a criminal offence.

Honeydew Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs confirmed that during the raid, 17 people were charged for rendering security services without being registered.

“Three dockets have been opened against three companies for employing unregistered security guards,” said WO Jacobs.

“One suspect was found to be wanted at Hillbrow Police Station for his 2009 case of assault.”