Crime awareness campaign in Hammanskraal
The community was advised that if a person is being assaulted and the victim does not report it, as a neighbour or a friend you can report such a case.
Hammanskraal police engaged with the community of sector 3 regarding crime in their area.
This formed part of a community outreach programme which was held on Saturday.
Tshwane metro police, GBV brigades, patrollers and the local CPF also attended.
Police spokesperson Warrant-officer Margareth Molane said crimes such as assault, mob justice, rape, house breaking and GBV were prevalent in the area.
“The community was advised that if a person is being assaulted and the victim does not report it, you can report such a case as a neighbour or a friend.”
Molane said the police also spoke about improving service delivery and winning back the trust the community had lost towards the police.
“To improve service delivery is that the police cannot be everywhere.
“The community needs to work with the police to report any criminal activities that happen in their area.
“Residents were asked to be the eyes and ears of the police because it is impossible to be everywhere all the time,” she said.
Molane said contact numbers of the station commander, Vispol commander, branch commander and Sector Manager were given to the community.
“All stakeholders were given a chance to present and explain their functions towards the community.”
She said the community was also sensitised on using the victim-friendly room (VFR) at the police station.
VFR is a service where the dignity and the victim is empowered and not subjected to secondary victimisation by the inefficiency of the members of the criminal justice system.
The four basic elements of victim empowerment are emotional support, practical support, providing information and referral to professional support services.
“For example, when you are abused and you don’t want to open the case, you just want the police to talk to the person abusing you, you are free to go to the VFR,” she said
Molane said the community was very happy and suggested that this meeting must be held every three months.
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