MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

No one injured in PE festive season readiness test

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The following statement was issued by Baywest Mall general manager Troy Zunckel in connection with the emergency drill at the Baywest centre earlier today:

At 9am this morning, Baywest Mall, with the cooperation of the South African Police Service, executed an emergency drill involving the full evacuation of the centre. The aim of the drill was to test the mall’s security readiness ahead of the busy festive season.

The drill scenario saw two “suspicious-looking individuals” enter an unnamed store and hold two staff members at gunpoint. The Baywest Mall security team responded immediately to contain the scene, while the control room alerted SAPS via the 10111 emergency call centre.

Officers from the Kabega Park police station were on the scene within minutes, as well as members of the K9 unit.

All tenants and shoppers were evacuated to safety at assembly points outside the centre, while the police apprehended the “robbers” and secured the crime scene.

Emergency services personnel and traffic officers were also on hand to ensure the health and safety of shoppers and manage the flow of vehicles onto access roads around the mall.

The entire simulation took just under an hour, no one was injured in the process and trading resumed as normal thereafter.

Baywest Mall would like to stress the importance of conducting emergency drills such as this ahead of the festive season. Centre management apologises for any inconvenience caused.

The mall takes the safety of shoppers very seriously and is proud to continue its good working relationship with SAPS, which includes having an officer stationed at the Baywest info desk.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.