IN the past two months, there has been an upsurge in trespassing incidents in the Mvoti Neighbourhood Watch area. Of concern are sections of the fence line on Heronmere Road and Belverdere Road.

As part of an ongoing project to fight crime in the area, the Neighbourhood Watch has, through their own initiative and money put up razor wire fencing around the collapsed walls at the Redhill Cemetery to prevent thieves from using them.

On Saturday, Ladybird Landscapes donated money to the watch, who have now also secured a section of wall with razor wire bordering Belvedere Road.

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According to chairman, Grant Cockburn, the majority of incidents over December and January have been petty thefts and trespassing incidents.

“We’ve seen a couple of isolated incidents of theft but we’ve seen a spike in incidents of trespassing. Now that we’ve secured the fence line along Girvan Avenue bordering the Redhill Cemetery the criminals are looking for new routes in and out of the area,” he said.

“On Saturday, members of the watch and I spent time patrolling the bush area from the Jewish cemetery along the fence line of the rear of Heronmere and Belverdere. We’ve identified a number of routes that criminals have been using to gain entry to our neighbourhood to steal items. We will work with residents to close off the rear of properties on these roads,” he said.

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Cockburn also urged residents not to leave items out that may entice criminals fence hopping.

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