What Happened in Nelson Mandela Bay This Week (8 to 14 June 2026)

Every week, our control room and response teams deal with whatever the city throws at them. We log it all, and once a week we like to share what we're seeing on the ground. Not to scare anyone, but because when you know what's actually happening around you, you can make smarter choices to stay safe.

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Here's the picture for 8 to 14 June.

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The week in numbers

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We responded to 94 incidents across the metro this week. The busiest days were Wednesday and Thursday, which together made up nearly half of everything we dealt with. Things quietened down over the weekend.

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More than half of all incidents were property crime. That means theft and break-ins. The rest was a mix of medical calls, trespassing, a few vehicle accidents, and some more serious incidents we'll touch on below.

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What thieves were after

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If there's one thing this week made clear, it's that criminals are going for the easy wins.

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Copper piping came up again and again. People are losing copper pipes off geysers, off bathroom walls, and out of empty or quiet properties. Gas bottles were another favourite, with several stolen straight out of back yards, even ones that were chained down. Other targets included tools, garden equipment, water meters and even a copper tap unscrewed off the front of a house.

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The common thread? Most of these items were sitting outside, in open or low-walled yards, where someone could hop over, grab and go.

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Where it happened

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Incidents were spread right across the metro, from Gqeberha through to Kariega and Despatch. Lorraine and Summerstrand saw the most activity this week, but plenty of suburbs had a quiet week with just one report.

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It's worth remembering that crime moves around. An area that's quiet one week can be busier the next, which is exactly why staying alert matters no matter where you live.

How it was happening

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A lot of break-ins followed the same playbook. Suspects jumped over low front walls or boundary walls, often at the back of a property where it's darker and harder to see. In a few cases they cut fences or forced open windows and burglar bars. Many of these happened in the early hours of the morning, between roughly midnight and dawn, when most people are asleep.

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A few clients also had their outside lights stolen in earlier incidents, which then left the front of their homes dark and easier to target again. It's a reminder that small things, like a working light, make a real difference.

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The serious side

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It wasn't all property crime. This week our teams also dealt with a number of medical emergencies, from falls and seizures to heart and breathing problems, where our responders and partnered ambulance services got people the help they needed quickly.

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There were also some tragic moments, including loss of life, that our teams handled with care alongside the police and emergency services. These are the harder parts of the job, and they're a reminder of why having real people on the other end of the line matters.

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So what can you actually do?

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The good news is that most of this week's incidents were preventable. Here are a few simple things that make a big difference.

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Lock away the loose stuff. Gas bottles, tools, ladders and bikes left in the yard are easy targets. Bring them inside or lock them in a secure store room.

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Protect your copper. If you've got exposed copper piping, especially around geysers or outside walls, speak to us about ways to secure or shield it. It's one of the most stolen items right now.

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Keep your outside lights working. A dark yard is an invitation. Good lighting at the front and back of your property makes a thief think twice. Consider sensor lights that switch on with movement.

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Mind your walls and fences. Low front walls are the most common entry point. Beams, electric fencing or even just trimming back bushes that offer cover can all help.

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Arm your alarm, every time. Several break-ins this week happened at homes where the alarm wasn't switched on, or where part of the property, like a garage, had no protection. If there's a gap in your coverage, let us know and we'll sort it out.

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Be a good neighbour. Some of this week's suspects were spotted and chased off because someone was paying attention. A quick message to your community group or a press of the panic button can stop a crime before it starts.

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If anything here has you thinking about the gaps at your own place, that's exactly the point. Give us a shout. We'd far rather help you prevent an incident than respond to one.

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Atlas Security. Your World Secure In Our Hands.

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