DURBAN North SAPS, Crisis Medical and residents combed the Beachwood Mangroves this morning in an effort to root out vagrants.

The raid targeted vagrants and criminal elements within the reserve. Authorities canvassed the area and were able to destroy one of the temporary structures that was built in the heavy vegetation. Half a dozen cell phones were recovered from the structure.

The area surrounding the structure was also littered with rubbish and what is believed to be stolen property, such as women’s clothing, toiletries and blankets.

Used condoms were also found alongside the pathway that leads to the structure. According to police the mangroves is a popular living space for vagrants and has been cleared on multiple occasions.

Lt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North SAPS, confirmed that two vagrants were taken into the station to be profiled. “Fingerprints and photographs were taken to determine if they can be linked to any incidences in the area,” he said.

Deokaran added that the station has seen an increase in robberies and the raid was organised as the elements within the reserve ‘could potentially be involved’.

The section opposite the M4 was also patrolled by police but no new structures were found. Copper wire casings, cell phone simcards and rubbish littered the pathways along the fence left of the roadway.

According to Andrew Wood of the Home Hawks Neighbourhood Watch, the raids are held randomly whenever resources are available. “The aim is to tackle crime and to encourage unwanted elements to leave the area,” he said.

In January authorities recovered a rusted panga during a similar raid at Riverside Road, which was suspected to have been used in the armed robbery of a cyclist.