The Greenacres shopping complex in Port Elizabeth is introducing new security measures, including a high palisade fence around the perimeter, after a spate of robberies in the centre and neighbouring businesses over the past few months.

Several break-ins at businesses in the Greenacres area, specifically targeting electrical appliance and jewellery shops, have raised concerns among the business community that a syndicate is operating in the area.

Police deny this, but admit they are concerned about the level of organisation in the execution of the robberies.

Greenacres centre manager Brent Starr said management would meet "high-risk" tenants today to discuss new security measures that were being put in place. These included the palisade fencing, motion-detection sensors and additional CCTV cameras.

Starr said it was expected the security measures would be implemented before the end of the year.

"We have also advised (tenants) to sign up for armed response with a security company." The centre now had an arrangement with a security company to have one vehicle permanently stationed at the complex, he said.

The problem of break-ins and robberies has not been limited to the complex, with other shops in the vicinity - including Demo Warehouse, Katz Camera World and Rafi's Appliances - having been targeted in the past three months.

"There is clearly a syndicate working in the area. These people are professional, the robberies are premeditated, they know what they are after and where it is in the store," said Rafi's owner, Rafi Sevilya.

His shop has been burgled twice in the past six weeks and a third burglary was attempted less than two weeks ago.

Katz Camera World general manager Angus Davison said the business had lost R117,000 worth of stock in a burglary on May 29. "They had clearly scoped out the place beforehand as they knew exactly where the high-end products were kept and targeted them."

Police spokesman Captain Ernest Sigobe said police had noticed the trend and were treating the matter in "a very serious light". Patrols were being stepped up in the area.

Eastern Province Herald