SAPS issues safety tips ahead of school holidays

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Tshwane has issued a strong appeal to parents and guardians to prioritise child safety during the upcoming school holidays, warning that criminals often target vulnerable children who are left unsupervised at home.

As schools prepare to close on Friday, June 26, 2026, police have urged families to take proactive measures to protect children while many parents and guardians remain at work during the holiday period.

SAPS cautioned that “criminals often target vulnerable children and may take advantage of situations where children are left unsupervised.”

The warning comes amid growing concerns over child safety, opportunistic crime, and theft incidents that typically increase during school holiday periods when children spend more time away from school environments.

and security gates locked, refusing to open doors to strangers, and never informing unknown individuals that adults are not at home.

Children have also been urged to avoid sharing personal information online, stay away from hazardous substances and electrical appliances, and immediately report suspicious activities to trusted adults or law enforcement.

SAPS further highlighted safety risks at shopping centres, which are expected to experience increased foot traffic during the holiday season.

“Children should always stay close to their parents or guardians,” the police said, adding that families should establish meeting points in case they become separated and ensure children know their parents’ contact details.

The police also warned the public about a cellphone theft scam that has been reported in several areas. According to SAPS, criminals are approaching people in public spaces and claiming to have emergencies that require them to borrow a cellphone.

“SAPS has noted incidents where criminals approach members of the public and claim to have an emergency, requesting to borrow a cellphone. In many cases, these individuals run away with the cellphone or use intimidation to commit robbery,” the statement said.

Police urged both children and adults to “never hand your cellphone to a stranger, regardless of the explanation given,” and instead direct anyone seeking assistance to shopping centre security personnel, police officers, or other responsible authorities.

The Tshwane police appealed to communities to work together to safeguard children during the school break.

“The SAPS appeals to all parents, guardians, and community members to work together to create a safe environment for children during the school holidays. Through vigilance, responsible supervision, and adherence to basic safety precautions, many incidents can be prevented.”

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