SAPS launches pilot crime tip-off line

This pilot project aims to give residents a direct, anonymous, link to the SAPS for crime tip-offs.

The phone will be manned by two officers 24 hours a day.

Only tip-offs from Edenvale will be accepted and residents are asked not to send ‘please call me’s’ to the number.

The Edenvale SAPS have said all tip-offs will be kept anonymous to protect whistle-blowers.

Residents who would like to submit an anonymous tip-off to the number can either phone or sms the number.

Keep in mind that information needs to be detailed and should include an address, a detailed description of the crime being committed as well as the time.

Where-ever possible, also include a description of the person or people breaking the law.

“In the event the phone is not answered, residents are asked to leave a detailed message for the officers,” acting spokesperson for the Edenvale SAPS, Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Roberts, said.

“We thank the churches of Edenvale for their help in launching this project and we know it will be a great success.”

In the last year, the Edenvale SAPS reported an increase in the community’s involvement in fighting crime.

“Every week more residents are standing up against crime and reporting suspicious activity. This project will simply make it easier for residents to report crimes and suspicious activity to us,” Lt Col Roberts said.

Due to the number of tip-offs received from the community, the Edenvale SAPS has made more arrests.

“Information from the community is important to us and our community is a vital part of fighting crime in Edenvale. Every tip-off is followed up and in more than 90 percent of cases reported, an arrest is made,” Lt Col Roberts said.

He urged residents to save the Edenvale crime tip-off number 011 056-8886 on their cellular phones.

“Do not let the number put you off. It is in fact a cellular phone and can receive sms’,” Lt Col Roberts said.