Easter travel alert: Beware of smash-and-grab hotspots in Cape Town

As holidaygoers take to the roads across South Africa for Easter, motorists are warned to be on their guard when travelling through smash-and-grab hotspots in Cape Town.

In recent years, the Mother City has seen a surge in smash-and-grab robberies, whereby criminals target motorists and steal valuables from their vehicles.

With the Easter season in full swing, these robberies are more than likely to soar as traffic congestion increases.

SMASH-AND-GRAB STATS

According to Miway, Cape Town Metro Police recorded 215 smash-and-grab incidents between July 2024 and May 2025. These were detected via the City of Cape Town’s CCTV network.

A large number of these incidents occurred between the late afternoon and early evening periods, typically when motorists are travelling home from work.

They were also prevalent on weekends. This is generally a time when drivers – be they locals or tourists – are at their most vulnerable, due to being more relaxed and being more partial to leaving their bags and luggage on car seats.

CAPE TOWN’S HOTSPOTS

Smash-and-grab hotspots are designated as such due to a combination of factors. These include frequent stops at intersections, slow traffic crawls as a result of congestion, pedestrians lingering close to vehicles and escape routes for the perpetrators.

If you’re travelling to, through or out of Cape Town, please take note of the following smash-and-grab hotspots:

• Bonteheuwel and Langa corridor
• Beaconvale
• Elsies River Industria
• Epping Industria
• Foreshore
• Leonsdale
• Milnerton
• Philippi

Many of these hotspots are clustered in the same general zones. Although this makes targeted enforcement more effective, criminals have wised up. This allows the latter to adapt their methods where need be.

SAFETY TIPS

Easter, like other holiday periods, is a busy time, especially out on the roads. This only motivates criminals to exploit motorists and carry out their dirty deeds.

If you find yourself travelling in one or more of the aforementioned hotspots in Cape Town, be sure to carry out the following safety tips:

• Do not leave valuables such as handbags and electronics on the front seat. These will be visible through car windows. Instead, secure them under the backseat, in your cubbyhole or in the boot.
• Keep your windows closed and make sure that your car doors are locked.
• Do not leave your mobile phone mounted on the dashboard or sitting in the center console while stationary.
• Leave a spacious gap between you and the car in front of you. By doing so, you will have ample space to pull away in the event of a smash-and-grab robbery.
• Above all, remain vigilant.

If you experience a smash-and-grab robbery or suspect something untoward, report your findings or concerns to your nearest police station immediately.

Stay safe out there, folks. There’s no rest for the wicked, especially during the holidays.