Although the latest quarterly crime statistics recently released by the South African Police Service (SAPS), recorded between January and March 2024, showed that Cape Town Central police station was number one in the country for the most community crime reported, crime showed a decrease in the second half of 2024.

This was reported by Brigadier Gerda van Niekerk at a fuller than usual Cape Town Central community police forum (CPF) meeting, held on last Thursday September 6 of every month at the station in Buitekant Street.

She said that although the volumes of crime were still concerning, she said June, July and August are showing a decrease in reported crime.

The statistics, which were released on August 30, showed that the number of incidents reported from January to March this year at Cape Town Central was 3332 – 243 incidents up from 3079 for the same time period.

Cape Town Central also topped the list for common robbery with 468 incidents this year, 127 up from last year’s 341 for the same period; as well as for theft out of motor vehicle, with the numbers showing 575 this year, up from 519 last year. However, theft cases show a decrease from 1 162 last year to 1 047 this year.

But while Brigadier Van Niekerk could not release the numbers due to the moratorium on crime statistics, she said aggravated robbery and theft out of motor vehicles were showing positive decreases. However, common robbery was still concerning as the numbers go up and down.

During the meeting, police reported that for the month of August, robberies were concerning in the city centre, Foreshore and in Zonnebloem, where suspected criminals usually snatch cellphones or jewellery from victims, or out of car windows at traffic lights.

Theft out of motor vehicle was also still concerning, particularly in Rose and Strand Streets, at Kloof Neck, city centre, Oranjezicht, Zonnebloem and Foreshore. It was reported that more theft out of motor vehicle was taking place in the residential suburbs because motorists have to park their cars on the street.

District Six neighbourhood watch member Igsaan Alexander said there was a big concern with car break-ins in the area, where back windows of bakkies were even being taken out.

Sean Savage, of the Woodstock CPF, who also attended the meeting, said underneath the Searle Street bridge and the informal settlements in Hanover Street was becoming a hotspot for burglaries, theft and drug-related crime, as more and more people move into structures in the fields of District Six.

Brigadier Van Niekerk said while the crime statistics showed that drug-related crime was on the increase, many don’t understand that an increase in these categories showed proactive police work.

Drug-related crime also showed an increase from 456 last year to 1 487 this year.

She said the police had put in efforts when it came to visible policing and when suspected criminals are arrested, they are profiled to check if they were wanted criminals.

She said Cape Town police have also concentrated on arrests for dangerous weapons as a preventative measure for robbery.

ATM fraud was being taken very seriously, said Brigadier Van Niekerk, but it was a challenge as the syndicates were well-dressed or in security uniforms, and very well-organised.

Scammers lure visitors to ATMs by trying to convince them that they needed a “permit” to walk in the streets. They would then direct the visitors to ATMs, where these “permits” could supposedly be issued. Once at the ATM, the visitors PIN would be noted and the cards either swapped or stolen with huge amounts of money being drawn from the machine fraudulently.

She said while the police are working to arrest the scammers, and they have confiscated many devices (used to steal peoples’ card information to draw money from their accounts), people still need to be educated.

“Please keep telling people you do not need a permit to walk the streets! Tourists are especially vulnerable!

She said that with festive season approaching, Cape Town Central police are in for a “tough” two months if last year’s statistics for the same period were anything to go by, as crime increased in the area during this period, adding that Table Mountain, which reopened after maintenance work, will also attract visitors.

The police and security stakeholders said they will continue with pamphlet drives and awareness campaigns, including at the airports and hotels in the precinct.

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

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Crime is actually decreasing, says Cape Town SAPS