The recent crime statistics show a sharp increase of 593 in drug-related crime incidents, compared to last year’s 267, while theft of motor vehicles stands at a shocking 635 compared to last year’s 612.
The statistics in drug-related crimes are dependent on police action, so the figures could be interpreted to mean that the police are working and to also translate the large number of illicit drugs doing the rounds in Benoni.
And, although the police have recently admitted to their battle with burglaries, the statistics show a diminished figure, from last year’s residential burglaries of 1 214 to 979, and a fall from 441 to 354 in business burglaries.
While attempted murder crimes rose from 39 to 60, murder itself dropped from 37 to 30.
Robbery at residential areas dwindled from 158 to 95, while non-residential crime increased from 67
to 87.
Other rising crimes include shoplifting, which rose from last year’s 475 to 545, commercial crime from 755 to 801, common assault from 522 to 535 and truck hijacking from 14 to 18.
Statistics are usually released six months late, with the recent ones listing crime which occurred from March 2012 to March 2013.
This means that they could possibly be out of touch with what’s currently happening.
Speaking to the City Times, cluster commander Brig Vuyokzi Ndebele said most categories in the overall statistics for the cluster have decreased.
She attributed it to the public for reporting crime, the CPF, religious organisations, EMPD, Home Affairs, Sars, Liquor Board, Gautrans, security companies and police officers.
“It was not easy, but we achieved it through effort and control and command management,” said Ndebele.
She, however, admitted that “we are still battling here and there”.
“Theft of motor vehicles is a challenge, with Benoni being the contributing station; we again plead with the community to be our eyes and ears,” she said.
Ndebele said truck hijacking is a challenge, due to the fact Benoni has lots of storage places,” she said.
The brigadier said crime will be tackled with great effort, to change Benoni into a better place for investment.
