Sans Souci Girls’ High School says it is taking extra security precautions following a series of muggings in which pupils from schools in the Claremont and Newlands areas had their cellphones taken.
Police are warning school pupils in Claremont and Newlands to be alert on their way to a from school after four pupils were mugged in the past month.
A Claremont High girl was mugged at the end of April and a boy from the school at the beginning of May, says Claremont police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Marnus Fourie. Both pupils had their phones taken on their way to school, but they were uninjured.
Also early in May, a man with a knife took a Sans Souci Girls' High School pupil's phone as she walked down Esme Road to school, and a Groote Schuur High School pupil walking to school had his phone taken by a man who threatened him with "a pistol-like" weapon in Palmyra Road before running off in the direction of the Palmyra Road squatter camp.
Sans Souci Girls High School acting principal Kathleen Davids said it was regrettable that their girls had become soft targets for criminals loitering in the area.
“During the winter months, we find that it is still very dark around 7am, and pupils who are commuting to school arrive here way before 7am.”
The school had alerted parents and discussed safety precautions with pupils, she said, adding that extra security precautions were being taken, including more security at entrances, drop-offs and exits and private security patrols at the school from 6am to 6pm.
The school had also alerted the police who were "maintaining a presence in and around the school".
Groote Schuur High School principal Marius Ehrenreich said they had asked for more visible policing by Claremont police.
“Our neighbourhood is increasingly becoming the focus of muggers. They prey on pupils who are soft targets.”
Pupils had been advised to walk in groups of three or more, he said.
“They must walk on pavements preferably where there is bright street lighting and not take shortcuts, must remove headphones and be alert at all times."
Provincial education department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said pupils should stay vigilant walking to and from school and keep devices out of sight.
“Since the incidents occurred off premises, the provincial education department relies heavily on its partners like police and Law Enforcement to assist with visible policing and regular patrols in and around these schools."
No arrests had been made in any of the incidents, said Lieutenant Colonel Fourie. He said the police had increased patrols around schools in the mornings, especially in Palmyra Road, Harfield Road and Main Road near Newlands, and Claremont High had been using private security and support from the Upper Kenilworth Improvement District which helped with morning patrols.
“We encourage scholars to walk in groups, to not display their cellphones and be aware of your environment at all times."
Claremont High School did not respond by the time of publication to requests for comment.