Community WhatsApp groups servicing Airfield, Norton Home Estates, Rynfield, Farrarmere and Northmead are painting a bleak picture of a community seemingly under siege from criminal elements.

From November 3 to 14, information from the Benoni CPF reports 18 crimes committed in these areas.

Incidents included:
• Armed home invasion
• Theft of motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, bumpers and lights
• Attempted house break-in
• Business break-in
• Theft of alarm beams, gate motors, and attempted theft of solar panels
• Motorcycle hijacking
• Theft and armed robbery

On October 24, the Benoni City Times reported that the Benoni Police Station has noted a sharp increase in house burglaries and robberies.

At the time, Vispol Commander Colonel Sinothi Ndaba said that the increase in crime extended beyond the borders of Benoni, with similar incidents also being reported in Boksburg and Boksburg North.

From October 13 to 19, five cases were reported to the police station, with Ndaba expressing concern about the spike.

“Investigations indicate that in most instances the crimes were committed by opportunistic criminals; however, the involvement of a syndicate has not yet been excluded,” he said.

Commenting on the most recent incidents, Captain Nomsa Sekele, spokesperson for the police station, urged the community to remain calm, assuring them that operational plans, in collaboration with the CPF as well as private security companies, have been put in place to beef up policing in affected areas and surrounding suburbs.

“We must, however, emphasise that incidents of crime, no matter how petty, must be reported at station level,” she said.

“This information is vital in effectively initiating crime prevention and visible policing operations. Data collected from reported cases gives a clear indication of criminal behaviour and therefore enables us to establish strategised operations.”

She said that unreported cases skew data and therefore hamper effective policing.

She echoed Ndaba’s statement, saying that investigations currently do not point to a syndicate operating in the affected areas.

“However, timeous crime reporting resulting in a case docket being opened and referred to the detective branch for investigation, could indicate that other elements, such as organised crime, could be at play,” she said.

“This can only be done if we have access to all relevant information.”

Sekele said that the current information at its disposal has warranted the institution of increased police visibility throughout the city, with beefed-up patrols remaining in place until the end of January.

“We are appealing to the community to be the SAPS’ eyes and ears. Report any suspicious-looking persons or vehicles to the police, CrimeStop, the MySAPS mobile app, CPF or your private security company.

“Most importantly, report all crimes to the police station. This enables law enforcement to bring criminals to book, thus creating a safer environment for all.”

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