Bedford Centre parking security questioned after motorist’s car stolen

A Bedfordview motorist says her car was stolen from Bedford Centre during a short visit on July 22,

What happened

Estelle Wentzel told reporters she parked outside the quick-service restaurant Steers because parking at the square was closed. She said she left the vehicle and walked down the ramp to visit a pharmacy. When she returned about 30 minutes later her low-mileage, well-kept car was gone. Wentzel questioned how a car could be removed given that number plates are scanned on entry.

Community reaction

Members of the Bedfordview community responded with concern about safety at the centre. Community member Clinton Dooley said it was easy to steal a vehicle at the centre and described how number plates could be removed and parking paid for, adding that paid parking was used to generate income rather than to protect vehicles.

Longtime shopper Nazarene Coles said she had grown up shopping at Bedford Centre and remembered it as a peaceful, safe place, but said she had noticed a decline in security, rising crime and a number of shop closures. “They really need to do something about it because they will lose a lot of customers,” she said.

Centre response and police contact

Bedford Centre general manager Linda Linnow said the centre was aware of the reported vehicle theft and that the incident had been reported to the SAPS. She said the centre was cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.

Linnow set out the centre’s security measures, saying the safety and security of customers remained a top priority and listing on-site security personnel, CCTV coverage, controlled parking access and exit systems, regular security patrols and ongoing monitoring of the parking facilities. She said isolated criminal incidents could occur in any public environment but said they were not representative of the experience of the majority of customers who visit the centre.

Bedfordview SAPS was contacted for comment on July 30; no response had been received at the time of going to print.

Investigation

The centre said it trusted the authorities would take the necessary steps in accordance with their investigation and legal processes.