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South Africa: Crime in Gauteng Decreases in First Half 2007
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BuaNews (Tshwane)
14 August 2007
Posted to the web 14 August 2007
Thapelo Sakoana
Johannesburg
Gauteng has experienced a significant decrease in crime over the last six months, with hijacking going down within the national targeted range of 7 to 10 percent over this period.
Hijackings decreased by 10.7 percent between January and March and they continued to decrease at a similar rate during the period between April and June 2007, according to Gauteng Community Safety MEC, Firoz Cachalia.
The MEC was giving a report in Johannesburg on Tuesday on crime trends in the province between January and June 2007.
"The police have increased their visibility across the province and increased the arrest rates. However, it is too early for the police to celebrate this achievement as a lot of work still needs to be done.
"Over this period, there has been a systematic improvement in the fight against crime. There is stabilisation but this doesn't mean we can relax," he warned.
The police conducted 7750 roadblocks, 6029 cordon and search operations, 75 869 vehicle patrols and 79 881 foot patrols throughout the province in an effort to improve visibility.
Mr Cachalia said this resulted in a total of 672 168 vehicles being searched. This represents an additional 106 921 vehicles or an increase of 18.9 percent when compared to the same period in 2006, he said.
About 1.4 million people were searched, which is an increase of over 280 000 people who were searched during the same period last year.
A total of 2500 targeted suspect raids were also conducted in a bid to arrest suspects identified to be involved in serious crimes.
Further to this, 2104 hijacked or stolen motor vehicles were recovered as well as 8168 illegal firearms.
He said the fact that police improved arrest rates was an important indicator that the police were getting better at targeting the perpetrators of crime.
"Each time the police arrest suspects, they are able to get more information about their methods, accomplices and networks.
"This allows us to further target these criminals which will ultimately lead to a reduction of crimes," he said.
During the first half of this year, a total of 650 arrests were made for residential robbery, this is an increase of 43.8 percent compared to the same period last year.
A total of 375 suspects were also arrested for car hijacking, representing an increase of 98.4 percent in the arrest rate compared to the first six months of last year.
"During the first six months of 2007, a total of 199 arrests were made for business robbery. This represents an increase of 243 percent when compared to the first six months of 2006," said Mr Cachalia.
The arrest rates in other violent crime categories have also improved.
The police recorded the following arrests:
* A total of 1246 arrests for murder - an increase of 22.8 percent compared to same period last year
* A total of 1015 arrests for attempted murder - an increase of 3.6 percent
* A total of 2277 arrests for rape - an increase of 28.1 percent
* A total of 2960 arrests for all types of aggravated robbery - an increase of 27.6 percent
* A total of 2644 arrests for common robbery - an increase of 9.1 percent
* A total of 14 844 arrests for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm - an increase of 16.3 percent
* A total of 9039 for common assault - an increase of 12.3 percent
Mr Cachalia's announcement of the crime trends follows a call by the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula that people across the country should know crime patterns in their respective areas in order for them to intervene properly through Community Policing Forums (CPFs).
The MEC said he believed the community and police could work together to consolidate policing in areas which faced more challenges than others.
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"I believe that the truth sets you free and releasing these crime trends will bring the necessary pressure for positive change. There is the beginning of positive trends in Gauteng and for consistency, we have to work harder," he said. - BuaNews.
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