In an effort to stop the high incidence of crime in Sauer Street in downtown Johannesburg, First National Bank (FNB) has employed a private security company to patrol the area with dogs. FNB?s huge Bank City complex of buildings is near Sauer Street.
The bank?s action follows the increase in the number of smash and grab incidents in Sauer Street near the corners of Jeppe and Bree, as city workers drive home in the evening.
”We have posted guards and dogs on the corners of these intersections and in the past month they have provided effective preventative security,” says FNB Retail Bank CEO, Wendy Lucas-Bull.
”In this time we are not aware of any incidences on these corners. The security company has also worked with shop owners to report suspicious characters who are then asked to move on.”
Lucas-Bull said the measures were taken after a number of smash-and-grab incidents had made FNB staff nervous of working in town and of travelling home late.
”However, there is also a positive spin-off for all city workers who travel down Sauer St.
”In addition, we have had meetings with Business Against Crime Surveillance Technology (BACST). They have agreed to aggressively monitor the situation in this area through their camera network. – Sapa