Location: St Helier Road, Gillitts
Time: 06Â January 2025
Incident:Â Domestic Disturbance turned Public Hazard
Our team take pride in fostering a safer, more connected community through proactive measures and collaboration with local neighbourhood watch groups. An incident that unfolded recently in the St Helier Road area of Gillitts serves as a reminder of the critical role that security partnerships play in protecting lives and property. This situation also underscores the importance of communication through secure channels, such as Blue Security linked WhatsApp groups, which proved invaluable in this case.
Late afternoon, our Control Centre received reports of a domestic disturbance at a residence on St Helier Road. Without delay, two Armed Response Officers (AROs) were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they found members of the local neighbourhood watch already standing down behind a vehicle suspected to be involved in the incident. The suspect was seated in the vehicle and, at first, refused to engage with anyone.
Suddenly, and without warning, the suspect started the vehicle, driving recklessly through the driveway gate, across the property, and into the perimeter fence. The vehicle crashed through the palisade fence and onto the road.
Our response team immediately gave chase, following the vehicle through St Helier Road, Old Main Road, and finally to Inanda Road. During this pursuit, our ARO teams were joined by our Tactical units to ensure the safety of other road users and to bring the situation under control. Unfortunately, the pursuit ended in a collision between the suspect’s vehicle and an oncoming vehicle on Inanda Road. Both drivers sustained injuries and were treated on-site by medical teams before being transported to hospital for further care.
We also want to take this opportunity to commend the quick thinking and dedication of the neighbourhood watch members, who played an instrumental role in providing initial support and valuable information to our team. The collaborative efforts between our Armed Response Officers, Tactical Unit and the Neighbourhood Watch members demonstrate the strength of community partnerships in addressing safety concerns effectively.
This incident highlights the value of secure communication channels, such as WhatsApp groups linked to Blue Security. These groups enable immediate reporting of incidents and seamless coordination between residents and our team. In situations like this, where every second counts, these networks can make all the difference in ensuring a swift response and minimising harm.
As we reflect on this event, we remain committed to providing a supportive presence in our communities. Together, through collaboration, vigilance, and trust, we can continue to create safer spaces for everyone.
If you are not already part of a Blue Security-linked WhatsApp group, we encourage you to reach out to your Community Manager to join one. Staying informed and connected is one of the most effective ways to enhance the safety of our neighbourhoods. Together, we can make a difference.
