A national strategy to deal with an expected spike in crime ahead of the festive season was unveiled by police on Friday.
It said the plan included the deployment of highly visible, multi-disciplinary, law enforcement teams in critical areas.
ALSO READ: SAPS to honour members who perished in the line of duty
Police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said the festive season was a time for people to relax and spend time with their families.
“Unfortunately, it is also during this time that opportunistic criminals may prey on unsuspecting victims and accidents on our roads increase alarmingly.”
He said the festive season operation would include curtailing house robberies, business robberies and vehicle hijackings.
“We have to enforce various legislation such as the firearm, liquor, second-hand goods and safety at sports and recreational events laws; targeting crimes against women, children and vulnerable persons; enforcing by-laws such as those focusing on hijacked buildings and the unlawful sale of firecrackers; enforcing road safety, such as drunken driving, speeding, driving of unroadworthy vehicles; enhancing border security to search for stolen property as well as drugs and human trafficking,” he said.
ALSO READ: SAPS warns against violence ahead of anti-foreigner march
He said to achieve these objectives the police already had multiple intelligence-driven and high visibility operations on the ground in identified areas.
“These operations will include regular vehicle and foot patrols, roadblocks, cordon and search operations and the tracing of wanted suspects.”
Naidoo said the police already had the commitment of major players such as the national and provincial road traffic departments and other government departments – justice, crime prevention and security cluster.
“The support of all persons cannot be overemphasised… by upholding the law and behaving responsibly, by providing information on crime and reporting all crimes as they happen,” he said.
Naidoo said last year the police scored significant successes when 83 479 people were arrested in the more than 700 000 festive season operations.
“We will also ensure that there will be heightened police visibility in areas where large numbers of our communities gather during holidays, such as shopping centres and malls, beaches and other tourist destinations,” he said.
ALSO READ: VIDEO: SAPS commemorates fallen heroes
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
