Brakpan crime stats: more robberies, assaults and hijackings
The annual SAPS crime statistics, released on Friday, last week, have revealed an increase in violent crime committed in Brakpan.
Compared with the previous year’s statistics, the latest figures, from April 2013 to March this year, show an increase in crimes such as attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, hijacking and the neglect and ill-treatment of children.
There was, however, a decrease in murder, assault GBH and sexual crimes.
The full statistics are as follows:
Contact crimes (crimes against a person)
Murder decreased from 18 to 15, total sexual crimes decreased from 84 to 74, attempted murder increased from 26 to 32, assault GBH decreased from 150 to 129, common assault increased from 424 to 428, common robbery remained the same at 99 and robbery with aggravating circumstances increased from 246 to 293.
Contact-related crimes
Arson increased from seven to 11 and malicious damage to property decreased from 289 to 274.
Property-related crimes
Burglary at non-residential premises decreased from 209 to 189, burglary at residential premises increased from 583 to 699, theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles increased from 294 to 389, theft out of or from motor vehicle decreased from 253 to 232 and stock theft increased from five to nine.
Crime detected as a result of police action
Unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition decreased from 34 to 33, drug-related crimes increased from 265 to 408 and driving under the influence of alcohol increased from 114 to 121.
Other serious crimes
Theft increased from 965 to 1115, commercial crime decreased from 420 to 316 and shoplifting decreased from 216 to 215.
Subcategories of aggravated robbery
Carjacking increased from 70 to 80, truck hijacking decreased from 10 to seven, robbery at residential premises increased from 19 to 38 and robbery at non-residential premises increased from 42 to 65.
Other crime categories
Culpable homicide increased from 24 to 25, public violence increased from zero to one, crimen injuria decreased from 37 to 32, neglect and ill-treatment of children increased from four to six and kidnapping increased from eight to nine.
Brakpan Police Station commander Brig Johannes Manyathele commended the community for working together with the SAPS in the fight against crime.
“I want to send out a strong message to criminals: we will leave no stone unturned to combat crime in Brakpan,” he said.
“One crime committed is one too many.
“Residents are assured that station management and members are dedicated to clamping down on crime in order to make Brakpan a better place in which to live and work.”
