The extra security resources, allocated to the city centre over the festive season, have reaped benefits in the fight against crime, say police.
Cape Town Central police station spokesman, Captain Ezra October said crime was lower than during previous festive seasons.
He said 53 constables were posted to the station for the festive season, which runs until the end of January.
“These police officers patrol the streets of the city in their reflective jackets and focus on areas such as St George’s Mall, the Grand Parade and the station deck, which were identified as some of the hot spot areas.”
Captain October said there were many events and more tourists over the festive season. “An increase of people means an increase in crime, and we are also concerned about the increase of people living on the streets.”
He said cellphone theft was a huge problem. “These crimes mainly occur at night, along with common robberies and chain snatching.
“People need to be more vigilant.
“We urge people not to leave their belongings unattended in nightclubs, and also not to leave things in their cars because we have no control over informal car guards. They are not registered and can be suspects with bibs on.”
Since the beginning of January, Cape Town Central police made 439 arrests for various crimes, which included 95 undocumented people, 40 people for shoplifting, 10 people for robbery and 15 people for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
They and also confiscated various drugs and 24 knives and a panga.
The City of Cape Town also had 18 law enforcement officers deployed near Grand Parade (“Grand Parade security plan,” CapeTowner, Thursday September 7, 2017).
According to the City’s safety director, Richard Bosman, law enforcement officers issued 231 fines for various by-law and traffic infringements this month.
They also arrested 23 people for drug-related crimes, one for robbery, one for possession of stolen property and one person for possession of a dangerous weapon.
On Sunday January 14, law enforcement officers on patrol in Long Street responded to a report of a rape.
Law Enforcement spokesman, Wayne Dyason said both the victim and suspect were in a nearby restaurant.
“The officers went to the restaurant and found them at a table. The clearly traumatised young woman was initially reluctant to press charges against the accused, citing shame and what her parents would think of her as reasons.
“The officers explained her rights to her and the importance of exercising them. She then chose to press charges and the accused was arrested.”
On Tuesday January 16, law enforcement officers arrested a man for possession of 13 packets of unga on the Grand Parade. Two days later, on Thursday 18 January, also on the Grand Parade, a woman was arrested for possession of one whole and one crushed mandrax tablet.
She also had three packets of tik and a tik lolly in her possession. Both suspects were held at Cape Town Central police station.
