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Police in Gqeberha has warned residents to be extra cautious and vigilant of their surrounding when visiting a cemetery following a notable increase in robberies.
Spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu said that at least five robberies have taken place at the Forest Hill cemetery in Humewood.
Naidu said visitors have been threatened with knives and robbers flee the scene with their personal belongings.
"In some cases, they request for the vehicle keys and then steal whatever is in the vehicle," she added.
Naidu said that robbers work in groups of three or four.
She said robberies usually take place at any time during the day.
Naidu has appealed to residents to not go to the cemetery alone and to leave expensive belonging like jewellery at home.
"The area is quiet and the robbers lie in wait for their victims. There is also a thoroughfare through the cemetery which is often used by pedestrians and joggers," she said.
Police have advised residents to make a hasty retreat to the car or even try to attract the attention of other people around if they are approached by a "suspicious-looking" group.
