When dealing with safety and security in Cape Town, many expats fall into two extremes. On one hand, having read all the scary reports on the internet makes some people totally paranoid. On the other, once you actually immerse yourself in the pretty and relaxed Cape Town life, it is very difficult to believe that there is a lot of crime here. While the first attitude - paranoia – is unnecessary, the second is outright dangerous. Even though it is not as bad as in the rest of South Africa, and most definitely much better than in township areas, crime is still a very real risk in ALL without exception areas of Cape Town.

It is absolutely essential to have a contract with a reputable security company (or as they are called here Armed Response). It is not enough to rely on police, who still, years after the demolition of the Apartheid police state, suffer from a poor image and a widely spread mistrust. The fact that many police stations subscribe to Armed Response services should tell you all you need to know. Armed response service will be able to react promptly (usually within a couple minutes) if an alarm or panic button is activated. See our Services Directory for details of Armed Response companies.

When at home, the key to avoiding becoming a target is by continuously following safety and security precautions yourself and teaching your family members and domestic workers to do the same:

• Install a good quality alarm system linked to Armed Response. All Armed Response companies will be able to supply and install an alarm system.
• Display an Armed Response sign where it is most visible. Armed Response is a huge deterrent to anyone with ill intentions. If the sign gets damaged, ask Armed Response to replace it – they will do it for free.
• Activate alarm every time you leave the house – even if it is to chat with a neighbour for 10 minutes. It only takes a few seconds to break in.
• Put your alarm on “Stay” when you are in the house after dark.
• Test your alarm regularly and at least once a month. Many armed response providers offer convenient testing by sms. 
• Keep your doors and gates locked day and night, and windows closed at night.
• If you live in the area with high record of break-ins, consider installing Trellidors. The are not very pretty, but pretty efficient. 
• Do not open your door to strangers, even women and children. Request ID from unexpected municipal workers or even Armed Response officers. Criminals are increasingly posing as someone else to gain access to properties.
• Memorize your alarm pin code and your armed response password. We shouldn’t need to say this but do not scribble it on your alarm keypad...
• Do not give out your alarm pin code to your domestic staff.
• Conversely, do not give out your armed response password to anyone except for the Armed Response themselves. Make sure that if you are being asked over the phone, the call indeed comes from the Armed Response. Criminals may present themselves as Armed Response calling you about a distress signal (for example, a power cut - which is easy for anyone to arrange) in order to obtain your password and use it to break into the house.
• If you see some suspicious behaviour around your house that makes you nervous, call Armed Response and ask them to check it out.
• Be careful driving in and out of your garage or gate. Best of all, install alarm sensors in your garage and at your driveway. Do not get out of the car and do not unlock the car until you see your garage and your gate close.
• If you discover someone in your house, however they did not see you – keep quiet, get your family behind a locked door, press a Panic button or call Armed Response. Alert your neighbours next.
• If you have to deal with robbers face to face, STAY CALM and humble, and under no circumstances resort to threatening. The robbers are after your money and valuables and not your lives, unless you put them under threat. Your fastest and safest way of getting them out of the house is to comply with their demands. Call Armed Response immediately after the criminals are out of the house.
• If your house is regularly gets broken into, re-assess your alarm system and/or loyalty of your domestic staff. If your system is sufficient and working properly and you trust your domestics, move.
• If you are planning a holiday, test your alarm system at least a couple weeks before you leave, inform your Armed Response about your absence and ask them to check up on the house more often. They will do it at no extra charge.  

Last updated: September 22, 2008