Carjacking

The security situation in Egypt is less than desirable to say the least, we hear of kidnapping, carjacking and robbery day in day out, and it keeps hitting closer to home. So until we have a president in place who will, we really hope, re-instill security in our streets, we need to be as cautious and safe as we can — without it turning into an obsession, of course. A Lufthansa Manager in Latin America, Europe and Africa for 40 years, Michael Wurche has had more than his share of facing insecure streets through his work in high crime rate areas around Africa. Wurche has also been kidnapped in Bolivia for 11 days against a ransom of $1.5 million, which his company luckily paid and he was home safely. “That's why I am interested in helping people to avoid critical situations and to know how to react and behave if they happen,” says Wurche, who has retired and works a security consultant now. Teaching security seminars to members of the German Arab Chamber and their families, Wurche, who is now Middle East and North Africa representative of the Result Group for international business risk consulting, has complied a pool of useful information that can be used in critical situations. Having also been a victim of kidnapping himself, Wurche takes his work quite seriously — he knows what a small mistake can mean for one’s life. From his personal experience as well as compiled knowledge from security experts, Wurche shares with us a few tips that might get you home safely, or at least out of danger with the least harm possible. So follow us as every Thursday for Wurche series of safety tips to raise your awareness on carjacking, street crimes, car break-ins and other crimes that happen daily and that we know so little about. Carjacking: If you’re on the road, look out for those signs that might possibly be signs of carjacking danger, they might be attempts to get you out of the vehicle to help, check your car or fix your windshield: 1.    A staged accident at the side of the road or in traffic and attempts to flag you down to assist: Use your gut instincts, if it looks suspicious don’t stop, call emergency numbers and let them know about the accident to send for help. 2.    A vehicle bumping you from the side or behind: Don’t stop, drive until you reach a crowded area and then stop if you have to, you can signal the other car to follow you. 3.    Damaging your car, including scratching it or breaking a mirror: Similarly, don’t stop to check. 4.    Throwing eggs or the likes on your windshield: do not use your wipers, it will make it worse, and don’t stop. 5.    Blocking your driveway as you wait for a gate to open: Call your security guards or a family member to ensure your gate is open as you arrive. 6.    Tailgating you into your driveway before you can close the gate: drive into the gate to the point where you can close the gate but block the entrance so nobody can ‘tailgate’ you in. 7.    A vehicle following you and attempting to get you to stop by using the horn, flashing lights or telling you something is wrong with your car: Try not to stop at all, even if you believe something might be wrong with your car, they will give up after you are past their area of operation or get into a public and well-lit location In general, if you feel threatened or followed, honk your horn loudly and continuously or flash your lights to attract the attention of other drivers — carjackers and gangsters hate anything that arises attention in public. However, if you hear a gunshot or see any weapons, you need to stop immediately and not resist the armed gangsters, chances are they will manage to stop you and you will risk losing your life. “Your life and health are more valuable than any car,” Wurche warns. “It is a complete judgement call if you decide to take action to evade possible attackers but often this does not turn out well.”     Prevention: -    Keep your windows and car doors locked at all times. This helps prevent incidents if you are stopped in traffic. -    When in town keep your windows approximately three centimetres open as it gives glass more flexibility and makes it harder to smash without enabling the thief to get inside the car. -    Always be aware of your surroundings, use your side and rear view mirrors to check vehicles around you. -    Keep a distance from other vehicles when driving or when stopping at a traffic light or traffic congestions. If you keep a distance equal to half a car’s length in front you then you can manoeuvre to escape if in danger. “Your distance is okay if you can see the rear tyres of the car in front of you,” says Wurche. Too big a distance can mean a car will be able to pull up in between you and the car in front of you. -    Avoid driving at night, but if you have to, take someone along, even your doorman. A car with just one driver is an easier target than a car with two passengers. -    Program the local emergency numbers into speed dial: Egypt’s police emergency number is 122 and ambulances are 123. In the event of carjacking: -    Always assume there would be weapons involved -    If you know it will be difficult to escape, stop -    Keep your hands on the steering wheel in plain sight and avoid any sudden movements -    Only take off your seatbelt when your attackers know exactly what you are doing so they do not think you’re reaching for a weapon -    Avoid any confrontation or signs of aggression against the attackers, including looking at them straight in the eyes -    Just give them what they want, your main objective is to get away safely -    Once you got out of you car, run -    Go to a safe place before reporting the incident Stay safe. et