Police and CPF successfully ward off looting in Bluff and Wentworth
Bluff and Wentworth have been successful at keeping looting sprees in their respective areas minimal.
STRATEGIC work and planning ahead has kept looting on the Bluff and Wentworth minimal. This is thanks to the tireless efforts of area respective community policing forums (CPF).
In conjunction with residents, the CPFs have collaborated and mobilised to screen and only allow access to residents.
“Although it is a bit difficult to screen and assess who is a resident and who is not, for the most part, we’re getting it right,” said Bluff CPF chairman, Andy Rossell. “The aim is to restrict ‘outsiders’ as much as possible to limit would-be looters. We’re working closely with the Wentworth CPF to control and limit access,” he said.
Responding to rumours about an attack on a mall in the area, Rossell said the problem was still very far from the area.
“We’ve identified a few people who wanted to cause trouble as being from the Mondi area. I can confirm that no store is under attack on the Bluff. We have CPF members dispatched all over the area. I am also on the ground and so I know exactly what is going on.”
“Most supermarkets decided to close their doors as precautionary measures. One store was opened but they’ve since closed their doors too, I suppose for safety reasons,” he said, adding that they are ready to ‘sort’ out trouble makers.
Spokesperson for the Brighton Beach police, Captain Louise le Roux said the area has been fortunate that to date, not much looting has taken place.
“To my knowledge, up to this morning, we had one incident that had occurred last night. Through the rapid response of SAPS Brighton Beach with operational support from SAPS Wentworth, SAPS Montclair and the Metro Police the situation was contained,” she said.
She added that although some law enforcement officers were bombarded with stones by looters who hid in a hostel, no injuries or damage to vehicles were reported during the intervention.
“Warrant Officers JJ Sonnekus and Theo van Noordwyk with others rushed into the premises and two suspects were apprehended. They were charged with housebreaking and theft as they were apprehended with cash in their possession belonging to the business,” she said.
Le Roux commended the support neighbouring stations have been providing each other in these moments of distress, calling it phenomenal. She added that security companies and residents positively contributed to Brighton Beach police’s ability to deal with the situation proactively and re-actively promptly.
“Our reactive initiatives have resulted in items looted from other areas being recovered within our area policing precinct resulting in multiple arrests. These individuals have been charged with Section 36 – Being in possession of property suspected to be stolen. At this point I am unable to give out the total number of arrests,” she said.
A comment from the Wentworth police and CPF chairman were not available at the time of publication.
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