Police empower learners at Waterkloof primary
The rise in cellphone thefts and robberies in the area prompted police to visit a local school in an attempt to raise awareness.
Brooklyn police visited the Waterkloof primary school where they empowered learners on how to safeguard themselves amid the rising cellphone thefts and robberies in the area.
The visit was part of a crime prevention operation on Friday, that sought to keep the community safe.
Captain Patricia Mushwana from the social crime prevention department together with Brooklyn police spokesperson Sergeant Webster Scheepers, educated learners about their safety while using cellphones in public, especially while waiting for their transportation.
“All cellphone users are advised to be vigilant when using their cellphones in public,” Scheepers said.
“They must also be suspicious of strangers who approach them to ask for directions or the time. Opportunists use this to distract their victims.”
He said other robbers approached their victims with a “friendly hug” after which the victims discovered that his/her cellphone was stolen in the process.
Safety tips and Covid-19 regulations were also emphasised to the learners.
Later in the evening, operation “Vhuthu Hawe” was conducted in the Brooklyn policing precinct in conjunction with different law enforcement agencies and community partners.
“The focus of the operation was on the prevention of crime as well as the enforcement of the disaster management act regulations,” Scheepers said.
“The operation resulted in several arrests for drinking in public, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and theft.”
“Fines were also issued for road traffic offences.”
Scheepers said the high police visibility assisted in keeping the community safe and criminals at bay adding that the operations would continue in the area.
Brooklyn station commander Brigadier Kushie Pietersen applauded the arrests and thanked all role-players involved.
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