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The police have deployed additional personnel in Grahamstown for the 39th National Arts Festival which started on Thursday.
Acting cluster commander, brigadier Morgan Govender, said approximately 50 additional police officers and 37 volunteers will be deployed daily to concentrate specifically on ensuring a safe and secure festival for 2013.
He says normal policing will not be affected in any way.
Govender says special attention will be given to drunken driving, selling of stolen property and counterfeit items as well as drug related offences.
Special arrangements have been made with the Department of Justice to prioritise so-called "festival crimes".
The following tips are supplied to guests as well as locals to ensure a pleasant and safe National Arts Festival, 2013 in Grahamstown.
Get a copy of a venue map which is in the Festival Programme and loose copies are available at information centres , hotels and residences.
At the Hotel, Guesthouse, other accommodation
*Report any suspicious, unattended luggage or parcels to the personnel at reception
*Never leave your luggage unattended unless it is locked away in your room
*store valuables in the safety deposit box.
*keep your room locked.
*if someone knocks, check who it is before opening the door. Contact reception if you have any reason for concern.
*hand your keys in whenever you leave.
*make sure that luggage is only given to bell staff and a receipt is issued for stored luggage.
In a restaurant:
*Do not leave your handbag, on the floor or hanging on a chair
On the Street
*avoid any ostentatious display of expensive jewelry, cameras, mobile phones and other valuables
*keep your handbag with you, keep it closed or zipped , and do not leave it unattended
*keep your mobile phone with you and do not leave it unattended.
*Avoid carrying large sums of cash with you.
*exchange your currency at a bank or at the hotel- never exchange it on the street.
*carry your wallet in an inside pocket- never in the rear pocket of your trousers.
*credit card transactions must be processed in your presence.
*at night stay away from dark, isolated areas.
*it is always better to explore in groups and to stick to well-lit busy streets.
*plan your route beforehand and, as far as possible, do not ask directions from strangers.
*a police officer or traffic officer will be happy to direct you if you get lost.
IN YOUR VEHICLE
Plan your route in advance.
Keep the doors locked and wind the windows up at all times.
Do not leave your mobile phone or other valuables where they are visible from outside the vehicle.
Lock valuable items in the boot (trunk) before your departure.
At night, park in well - lit areas.
Never pick up strangers or hitchhikers.
If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice and help.
Make sure you have the number of the car rental company at hand in case you get stranded.
Hopper Service
"The Festival Hopper Service makes it easy to get around Grahamstown during the Festival. The Hoppers run frequently throughout the day and until 1am at an affordable rate of R5. This will alleviate the frustration of finding a parking as well as avoiding the traffic jams.
INFORMAL BUSINESS DEALS
Do not become a victim of advance fee fraud, known as '419 letter scams'. When considered whether or not to enter into a business transaction with foreigners who reside in South Africa, check the credentials of the persons or business and establish whether the business and establish whether the business exists and whether it is legitimate.
Do not create a market for criminals. Reject and Report Stolen goods.
