In a matter of only 18 hours, Ladysmith police officers made a staggering 174 arrests on Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
These arrests were made during various crime prevention activities held in the CBD and surrounding areas aimed at policing the influx of people into the town. The annual Nyus’ iVolume Music Festival was being held at the Indoor Sports Complex, an event notorious for alcohol consumption and elevating the crime rate. Police and Public Safety officers arrested 37 people for driving under the influence of liquor, while another 120 were arrested for crimes related to drunkenness and drinking in public.
Two others were arrested for obstructing a police officer and one for a traffic-related offence. During the same crime prevention operation, police arrested two people for murder, another two for house robbery and murder, five for assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm, two for common assault, one for housebreaking, and two for theft.
A large amount of liquor was seized, along with an amplifier and counterfeit CDs.
