Stats show serious crimes are on the rise

SERIOUS crimes have escalated in the greater Queensburgh area.

This has been revealed by the release of the national crime statistics. Statistics of each police station were also released. On analysing and comparing the 2012/2013 year from March 2012 to April 2013 to the 2011/2012 figures of the same period, it is clear to see that crime levels in some categories have more than doubled.

Concerned DA councillor, Andre Mitchell, said he appreciated the report but still had a lot of concerns. “We appreciate this report but as I’ve said previously, my main concern is the monthly crime statistics, especially as it is now clear that murder is on the increase. It would make a great difference if we could see the monthly trends.”

Ward 65 councillor Chris van der Berg was less impressed saying, “I suspect that crime has increased more than is actually being reported, and as we can all see, the decreases are minimal. Hijacking is definitely something to worry about as the guys who steal cars are now going for more high-end vehicles. As for stock theft, if dogs are considered theft I would say our community has definitely had an increase in this, more especially in the Hillary and Bellair areas. All in all though it would seem our country is losing the war against crime.”

Themba Khuzwayo of Burlington was objective, saying the police were working hard to fight crime and that the real issue was that there were now more criminals. “The police do their best, we know that because there have been lots of arrests made. The problem that government must address is unemployment because that is what is turning ordinary people into criminals. They can’t make ends meet as they have no jobs so they take the ‘easy’ way out and steal from others.”

Queensburgh Crime Watch coordinator, Ray Moore said: “As more and more residents join forces to fight the war against crime by joining neighbourhood watches and crime watches it is also clear to see that the community will not take this lying down, they are willing to fight for what’s rightfully theirs. Most residents have come to understand that the police cannot do it on their own but need the backing of the community.”

Tracy Ridsdale of the North Park Neighbourhood Watch was in agreement. She said: “As a citizen and neighbourhood watch member it is obvious that crime levels are extremely high, releasing stats really doesn’t mean much unless there is tangible proof that there is a definite decrease in all crimes. Stats should be available more frequently but this in itself doesn’t mean much to the citizens of our country when we are all aware of the increase in crime.

“I am more aware of direct crimes due to communication between various neighbourhood watches in the greater Highway area and it is of major concern that SAPS are climbing a mountain. This is why more residents need to feed SAPS with information in order for them to achieve more arrest successes as a large percentage of crimes are never reported. Also SAPS need to be more diligent and allow citizens to open cases. Citizens must never forget policing is nothing like in the movies.”

To help fight the war against crime join your local Community Policing Forum (CPF) or a neighbourhood watch close to you. CPF meetings are held at the Bellair SAPS on the third Tuesday of every month and at Malvern SAPS on the first Thursday of every month.