The Cape Town CBD is a problematic precinct for police.
Cape Town Central police station topped the list for the most reported community crime in the country.
This is according to the most recent quarterly crime statistics, released by SAPS on Tuesday May 30. The statistics were recorded between January and March 2023.
The community reported crimes are made up of contact crimes including murder, sexual offences, attempted murder, all assaults, all robberies, car jacking, residential and non-residential robbery; arson and malicious damage to property; property-related crime including burglary, theft out of, from, or of motor vehicles and stock theft; and other crime including theft, commercial crime and shoplifting.
The crime stats show that Cape Town Central had 3 079 cases, from January to March 2023 - 16.1% up from last year’s 2 653 for the same period.
The statistics were discussed at the monthly community police forum (CPF) meeting on Thursday June 1 at the police station in Buitenkant Street.
Cape Town Central police also placed first for common robbery, with 341 incidents this year, up 17.6% from last year’s 290 for the same period.
Although the station also placed first in the country for theft out of motor vehicle, the numbers show a decrease of 12.5% from 593 last year, to 519 this year.
Cape Town Central also took first place for theft, with 1 162 incidents reported this year, 39.2% up from last year’s 835 and placed second in the country for shoplifting, with 139 incidents this year, 46.3% up from last year’s 95.
Cape Town Central police station commander Brigadier Marius Stander said although the station was still number one in the country, the SAPS and other roleplayers were dedicated to making a difference in the CBD.
He said the decreases in theft out of motor vehicle and property crimes showed that the strategies put in place were working, adding that robbery was a big challenge for police.
He said the city centre attracted lots of people from all over with events and people travelling through everyday, and added that statistics are pushed up by crimes such as shoplifting and theft out of motor vehicle, and people whose belongings are stolen when they visit the CBD.
He also said that Cape Town Central was not on the top 30 list for any serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, and assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm.
He said while the CBD was the most problematic precinct due to the high volumes of people, the police and partners were focusing on the hotspot areas, which include Strand Street, Long Street and De Villiers Street, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill, among others.
CPF chairperson Marc Truss encouraged people to get to know their neighbours and to work with the neighbourhood watches to create safer communities.
He also urged people to plan trips, to not leave anything in their cars and to be vigilant.
The CPF meets on the first Thursday of every month at the Akker Hall at the Cape Town Central police station in Buitenkant Street. The meeting starts at 8am and is an open meeting.
For any issues or more information about the CPF, contact info@gpokcid.co.za