Diep River police and Community Police Forum (CPF) have issued a crime safety alert urging residents to be more vigilant of their surroundings.
This after the crime stats released last month showed an increase in carjackings, commercial crimes and theft out of motor vehicles.
According to Western Cape fourth quarter crime statistics, which covers crimes reported to police from January to March 2023 for the 2022/23 financial year:
- Commercial crime rose by 37%, with 20 more cases reported this year. Only 54 cases were reported in 2022, while 74 cases were reported in 2023.
- Carjackings increased by 5 cases in the precinct compared to the same period last year which had zero cases. Robbery at non-residential premises increased by 4 cases compared to the previous year.
- More positively, theft out of motor vehicle incidents decreased by 9.9% or seven cases – 71 cases were reported in 2022 and only 64 cases were reported for the same period this year.
“Especially now that the school holidays have begun, it is important to educate your children, staff and all those around you that it is not safe to walk in the street talking or messaging on your phone. You make yourself an easy target for any opportunist to snatch your phone and run,” Diep River CPF stated on their Facebook page.
According to the forum, crime trends show house break-ins take place during morning peak hours when people leave for work and that car jammings are more prominent near shopping malls.
The forum encouraged residents to make reports of any and all crimes: “SAPS works on a crime analysis system which is based on only the crimes reported. So if it is not reported it never happened and it doesn’t count on the crime statistics – which is not a true reflection on what is happening in our precinct.”
According to Sergeant John Klein, Diep River police spokesperson, the decrease of some crimes is a direct result of community collaboration.
“Working with neighbourhood watches, security service providers in the area, police were able to increase their visibility, which showed a decrease in theft out of motor vehicles that was previously more prominent in business areas.”
“While house break-ins are not increasing on a rapid scale, police however are still concerned that people do not close their windows or make sure their alarms are set, or alert armed response and police, when they see someone suspicious in the area. We are changing our operations to also give more focus on this crime.”
According to Sergeant Klein, commercial crimes are becoming common with purchases being made on Facebook marketplace.
“People that are buying from a marketplace are often making purchases before receiving the product, when it comes to delivery they at times have found the products are fake. Usually victims do not receive their money back because it has been deposited into an account that has been subsequently closed.”
Crime has no boundaries, says the community police forum chair, Fiona Schwimmbacher: “Wherever possible we need to work together to help keep our areas safe. I also encourage residents to join their respective neighbourhood watches within their area and get involved in their community, know your neighbours, have a WhatsApp group for your street or block so that you are aware of what is going on around you.”
