WITH an increase of crime in areas around them, the Bellair Community Police Forum (CPF) Sub Forum 1 has taken a proactive approach to fighting crime.

The Sub Forum, which has more than 100 streets and six different neighbourhood watches, recently met to discuss key strategies and patrol routes in order to deter any criminal activity.

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Members from the Mount Vernon Delta’s, Arundel Neighbourhood Watch, the Huntley Neighbourhood Watch, South Park Patrol, the Watsin Crime Watch and the Woodlands Rangers, also presented their reports on recent crimes and events in the area at the monthly meeting held at Faith Centre Ministries.

The meeting was also used to address concerns by the community, which included house break-ins, thefts-out-of motor vehicles, the theft of tyres and rims, and copper-pipe theft.

Riki Devnarain, Sub Forum 1 chairperson, said the meeting was also a way to encourage more residents to join in the patrols.

“Judging from the crime around us, we have seen a spike in certain crimes. We felt the best way to address this was to be proactive in monitoring the area. There have been break-ins, car thefts and theft of tyres. We’ve noticed a shift in crime which is now happening during the day. We ultimately need to have more eyes on the road. I encourage residents to link up with any of the teams or neighbourhood watches to help with patrols and to give back.

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“This meeting was also a way for us to determine what the community can expect from Bellair SAPS and security companies over the festive season. In other words, what can we expect with the resources they have available? We would love for more residents to join in as these monthly meetings are important. We can’t have everyone living in silos, and we need community collaboration. As the sub-forum, we are working with the community, SAPS, neighbourhood watches and security companies as well as liaising with the councillor, and this helps us also drive awareness on the various crime trends in the area,” he said.

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