A total of 181 suspects were arrested during a festive season police operation on the West Rand during the weekend.

According to Sergeant Mulalo Ndou, spokesperson for the West Rand District Police, the purpose of the operation is to help communities feel safer by minimising crime in the District.

Ndou said suspects who are scheduled to appear in their respective magistrates’ courts soon have been charged with the following offences: murder (5), rape (1), housebreaking (5), house robbery (2), drinking and driving (1), business robbery and burglary (3), possession of stolen property (9), possession of drugs (8), dealing in dagga (3), domestic violence (11) and assault with intend to cause bodily harm (9).

“More suspects were arrested for crimes such as tampering with an essential infrastructure; theft; common assault; illegal mining; selling liquor without a licence; possession of gold-bearing material; possession of dangerous weapon; malicious damage to property; warrant of arrest; trespassing; undocumented (illegal immigrants); and drinking in public,” Ndou said.

Ndou went to say police within the West Rand will continue to keep the community safe, more especially during this time of the year.