The festive season is on the horizon, and the people of Newcastle are enthusiastically preparing for celebrations. However, alongside the joyous atmosphere, a troubling new crime trend is surfacing in the area, seemingly coinciding with the holiday rush.

Street vendors have become a familiar sight at numerous intersections throughout Newcastle, offering a range of products—from children’s toys to fresh fruit—luring residents with attractive prices and accessibility.

Nevertheless, the Newcastle Crime Policing Forum (CPF) has advised the community to be cautious when interacting with these vendors. Reports suggest that some vendors are prompting drivers to roll down their windows or pull to the side of the road, only to then be targeted and robbed once they comply.

This advisory follows a recent incident at the junction of Victoria Road and Allen Street, where a female driver encountered a vendor. Keeping her identity private, the woman’s husband shared the story of the incident. He explained that his wife stopped at the intersection when a man approached her vehicle, attempting to sell avocados. “He came to the car and tried to convince my wife to lower her window, which she declined. The man then claimed there was damage to her car and insisted she pull over immediately. She felt uncomfortable and opted to drive away, stopping at a nearby garage instead,” the husband recounted. Upon inspection at the garage, they found no damage to the vehicle at all.

Moreover, this is not an isolated case, as CPF’s Talha Randeree pointed out that many residents have reported experiencing similar situations. Randeree stressed that the increase in calls from the public has prompted the CPF to urge the community to remain vigilant as this crime trend expands in Newcastle.

He elaborated, saying, “Residents have observed that some vendors are becoming more aggressive, pressuring community members to roll down their windows to force goods into vehicles before demanding extra payment or attempting to rob them. Additionally, certain vendors fabricate stories about vehicle issues to lure drivers into pulling over,” Randeree explained.

While Randeree clarified that not all street vendors engage in this behavior, he acknowledged that a minority are exploiting the busy holiday season to commit these crimes. He also emphasized the need for heightened awareness among residents when stopping at intersections, especially those where vendors are commonly found.

Furthermore, Amajuba District SAPS Spokesperson, Constable Nonjabulo Langa, provided practical advice for drivers, stressing the importance of not rolling down car windows or pulling over when approached with claims of vehicle difficulties. “As you cannot determine their true intentions, it is best for your safety to avoid engaging with strangers at your window or pulling over. Instead, drive to a safe location to check your vehicle,” Langa advised.

Constable Langa also called for caution among motorists at intersections and assured the public that the South African Police Service is taking this matter seriously.

“The police will work in partnership with the Newcastle Municipality to target these individuals and strive to foster a safer environment for our residents,” she promised.

Given this rising crime trend, what are your thoughts? We encourage you to share your opinions in the comments section below.