Denver Isaacs
13 May 2008
THE Police's special 'Operation Spider Web', still rolling countrywide, has left at least the Windhoek law enforcers with big smiles on their faces.
Police in Windhoek this week reported success in solving a number of computer thefts and firearms seized from either irresponsible or illegal owners.
During a press conference in Windhoek yesterday, the Police said they were especially happy over a noted reduction in computer thefts in Windhoek since the start of Operation Spider Web.
"We are aware of the series of computer thefts that have occurred of late.
Computers are so all-pervasive in our society today, and a theft of such equipment always means considerable loss in information, never mind in [monetary] value, to the lawful owner," the Police said in a media statement.
In the past month, the Police have solved eight computer-related burglaries, arresting 16 suspects.
Among the recovered booty are four laptop computers, 16 computer processing units, four flat-screen monitors and two pistols.
Operation Spider Web has also proved effective in the arrest of five suspects who broke into the Depot of the Prison Services in Windhoek earlier this month and stole about a dozen firearms and computer equipment.
Police also yesterday shared their concern over overcrowded cells, which they said remained a matter of frustration in their work.
An example given was that between Friday, April 25 and Sunday, April 27, the trial-awaiting inmate population at Windhoek's three Police stations went from 197 over capacity to 221 people too many.
By that Sunday, the detainees consisted of 860 Namibian men, 14 women, 32 boys and 25 foreign men.
Of the foreigners, only five were being held as illegal immigrants.
The rest were all arrested for crimes committed in the region.
Operation Spider Web also concentrated on traffic violations and substance abuse.
Nineteen people were caught for public drinking and six arrested for drunken driving between the start of the operation on April 20 and this past Sunday.
Forty people were caught in this time for driving without valid drivers' licences.
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