Learn to be street smart in public places

An easy target. Always remember to hold your handbag close to you and beware of suspicious character.

SNATCH theft claimed another life after a 73-year-old man was stabbed in the abdomen when he tried to stop two suspects from stealing his wife’s gold necklace in Parit Buntar last week.

Yeap Ah Kang @ Yeap Bak Seng and his wife, Teow Siew Gaik, 67, were reportedly jogging near a fast-food restaurant in Taman Wawasan when two men on a motorcycle appeared and tried to snatch Teow’s necklace. A struggle ensued between the victim and the suspects, and Yeap was stabbed with a sharp weapon, believed to be a knife. He died at the scene.

This tragic case, and others before it where the victims died, is an important reminder for all snatch theft victims to value their lives more than their possessions. We must always remember that money, valuables and personal documents can be replaced but not our lives.

More than 60% of “crimes of opportunity”, including snatch thefts and home burglaries, are committed by drug abusers who would not hesitate to use force on their victims.

Just like abuse of drugs, I believe that snatch theft must also be declared a public enemy.

We would also like to advise the public to never give criminals an opportunity to strike, by not wearing valuables when out jogging in secluded areas.

They should discard the mentality that such crimes “are never going to happen to me” and take proactive measures instead to ensure their safety.

They must also know the latest tactics employed by snatch thieves, including asking for directions before grabbing the victim’s bag or other valuables.

There have also been cases of thieves going to the victim’s house and asking for an address or pretending to deliver a letter or package.

The public, especially senior citizens and women, must be “street smart” and always alert when walking alone.

At the same time, the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) hopes that the police could increase patrolling or station more men at snatch-theft hot spots. The number of plainclothes policemen must also be increased to help nab the culprits on the spot.

Another proactive step is to install more CCTV cameras in areas prone to snatch thefts. If thieves know that their criminal activities will be captured on camera, they may think twice about committing the crime.

All these measures are important since street crime is on the rise although the nation’s overall crime rate has dropped compared with previous years.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE

Senior Vice-Chairman

Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation