Tshwane metro police have introduced new security measures to protect students and residents in Hatfield after concerns about vehicle break-ins and smash-and-grab incidents.

Community Safety MMC Hannes Coetzee said the metro had established safety partnerships with higher education institutions, including the University of Pretoria and Tshwane University of Technology.

Coetzee said about 65 000 students enter the city annually and should be regarded as residents whose safety the metro must protect.

A live call room monitored by security structures is supported by 20 metro police officers who communicate directly with patrol vehicles via radio.

Coetzee said the system enables officers to respond quickly to reported incidents, including vehicle hijackings.

Suspects pose as car guards

Concerns have also emerged about individuals posing as car guards at residential complexes in Hatfield, where students and residents rely on them to help park and watch vehicles.

Coetzee said some individuals claiming to be car guards had allegedly been found breaking into vehicles.

Suspects were arrested and taken to police stations for profiling, including fingerprinting and photographs.

Establishing suspects’ identities and residential addresses remained a challenge, prompting co-operation with the Department of Home Affairs.

The metro is working with various stakeholders to address crime in the area.

According to Coetzee, the City Improvement District reported a crime reduction of between 30% and 50% about three months after meeting with metro officials.

He confirmed that 200 recruits were undergoing an 18-month training course to join the Tshwane Metro Police Department.

Coetzee said the metro continued to conduct day and night operations in Hatfield to strengthen law enforcement.

He urged students to exercise caution when travelling with people they do not know and to remain alert to potential dangers.

Meanwhile, Tshwane safety and security manager Deon van Rensburg said patrols had been intensified to identify crime hotspots in the area.

Van Rensburg added that a car guard had allegedly been caught stealing from a parked vehicle.

However, the victim chose not to open a case, and the car guard was subsequently chased away.

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