CRIME statistics show that more crime was reported in the months of May, June and July than over the same period last year.
Colonel Lizette Zeelie once more urged members of the community to be vigilant.
The Police statistics at this month’s Sector 2 Policing, Rapid Response and CPF meetings revealed that there had been a drastic increase in criminal activities reported between May 2017 and June 2017. This trend didn’t stop, however, as multi-security statistics for the month of July suggest that there have been a number of nefarious events taking place.
“[Increased crime is] why we’re encouraging people to start noticing and recognizing people in their immediate communities,” Zeelie said.
According to Multi-Security statistics for the month of July, a third of break-ins occur when residents do not have their alarms activated.
Colonel Reddy, who was recently appointed as the Port Alfred Detective Commander when he was transferred from Kwa-Zulu Natal, reported a series of arrests made in his short tenure thus far.
Reddy and his team recovered a number of stolen goods which were recovered during raids hosted by the Port Alfred Cluster Detectives last week.
SAPS Spokesperson Captain Mali Govender expounded on this impressive bust in her press statement regarding sixteen arrests made on Nelson Mandela Day.
“[Among the criminals arrested was] a 24 year old male, with three pending cases and linked to nearly 15 housebreaking and theft cases. He will appear in the Port Alfred Magistrate court on Thursday.”
- Last week Wednesday, July 19, MultiSecurity control room received a call reporting an armed robbery which took place around noon at a residence in Steenbras Street. The domestic worker was at the home, cleaning in the back yard, when two unidentified males driving a white car held the domestic at gun point before locking her into a room. The robbers took off with two TV’s, a DSTV decoder, jewellery and the house keys. Gardmed arrived to treat the domestic worker for shock while the locks of the house were changed. SAPS alongside forensic specialists were also on the scene.
- Also on Wednesday in Mswele Street, Nemato, the MultiSecurity control room received a call from a client who reported a break in at the premises. The control room informed SAPS who attended to the scene and reported intruders attempted to break in at the flat in the back garden. The intruders cut the glass with a glass cutter but the burglar bars remained intact.
- Wednesday evening, a break in was reported at Port Alfred Brickworks in Hallier Street. The client reported that the barbed wire on the fence at the back corner had been cut and removed. He also reported that some fence wire, which was packed in the same corner, was stolen. Nothing else was reported stolen.
- On Sunday, Upper Crescent Bathurst, a client phoned MultiSecurity control room to request armed response as a suspicious person was seen on the premises. The MultiSecurity reaction officer responded and checked the area but did not find anyone suspicious. She did however find footprints matching the prints of the suspect that had used pepper spray on another client earlier this month during a break in.
- Last Friday morning a break in was reported at Ravenswood Retirement Village on Southwell Road. MultiSecurity control room informed SAPS and reported that intruders went through an open garage and an unlocked inter-leading door. The client reported that his tablet, money, cell phone and a USB flash drive was stolen.
- Friday afternoon at Nemato Spar in Biscay Road, the manager on duty reported a theft. MultiSecurity reaction officer reported two women walking up and down the aisles slowly watching one of the Spar customers. One woman approached the customer and kept her busy while the other lady came from behind, opened the customers’ bag and stole her wallet out of her handbag. The two then left the shop. MulitSecurity reaction officer reported that the women can’t be identified as the footage does not show their faces.
- A panic was received from Rosehill Mall who reported that a Samsung phone was stolen from the manager at a restaurant in the mall last Thursday.