JOHANNESBURG - As the police ministry  releases crime statistics for the 2010/11 financial year today, experts believe an overall decrease in crime can be expected.

“We are expecting a decrease in various crime categories, especially murder, car hijacking, business and house robberies,” Institute for Security Studies (ISS) senior researcher for crime and justice, Johan Burger told The Citizen yesterday.
Burger added, “If we see a decrease in these types of crime as expected, this will have an impact on aggravated robbery crime.”

Burger’s statement was based on information obtained from various organisations, including the Consumer Goods Council, the South African Banking Risk Information Centre and International Business Survey.

The past financial year (April 1  2009 to  March 31 2010), the ministry boasted a decrease in most categories of crime statistics, especially a significant drop in murders of 8,6%.

The murder figure fell below 17 000, as compared to 18 148 murders recorded for the 2008/09 fiscal year, which  saw an overall crime rate increase by 0,3%.

The ISS had said it was a matter of concern given the fact that there had been consistent decreases in four financial years ahead of the 2008/09 financial year.
Burger said a further drop in murder cases could be expected today when Minister Nathi Mthethwa releases the statistics.

The past financial year, attempted murder decreased by 6,1%, car hijacking by 6,8%, cash-in-transit robbery by 7,3%, bank robbery by 8,8%, robbery with aggravating circumstances by 7,5% and sexual offences by 4,4%.

The police’s contribution – especially during the 2010 Fifa World Cup event – expanded the number of police officers and increased the budget. These acquired resources, combined with community members co-operating with the police by reporting crime, contributed to the drop, he added.

– pulengm@citizen.co.za