Brooklyn police precinct only east station among nation’s 30 most crime-ridden

The latest quarterly SAPS crime statistics show that serious crime cases have dropped at the Brooklyn police precinct in the east of Pretoria.

Brooklyn’s stats in the serious crime category dropped by 73 counts from 1 716 in the 2023 period.

This was revealed by the crime statistics for July 1 to September 30 released by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on November 25, marking his administration’s first 100 days in office.

Of all the east of Pretoria stations, only Brooklyn remains among the top 30 nationally plagued by community-reported crimes, at number 13.

This quarter’s stats for police stations servicing east communities include:

Brooklyn

This station has recorded a 23.3% decrease in contact crimes, with 322 cases from the period of July 1-September 30, this year compared to 420 cases over the same period last year.

The station recorded only one murder case in this quarter, similar to the same period last year.

With property-related crimes, which include burglaries at residential and non-residential properties, theft of and out of motor vehicles and motorcycles, the station recorded a 6.4% decrease at 543 reported cases, compared to 580 last year.

Burglaries at non-residential premises have dropped by 22 counts, with 42 reported cases compared to 64 last year.

Theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles has increased by 13.8%, with 264 cases making it the highest since 2020.

Other serious crimes such as commercial crimes, shoplifting and all theft not mentioned previously have increased by 10%, with 739 cases making it the highest since 2022.

Shoplifting grew by 16.4%, commercial crimes by 11.9%, while all theft not mentioned previously grew by 8.7%.

Kidnapping cases have grown by 8 counts, with 10 cases reported compared to the 2 cases last year.

Boschkop police station

Although the station has been among the less troubled, it however continues to grapple with contact crimes, such as attempted murder, common assault, common robbery and assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.

The station recorded only one murder case, down from the seven of the previous year.

Last year, it recorded no cases of attempted murder, however in this quarter four counts were recorded.

Commercial crimes have increased by 9.7%, with 113 cases this year compared to the 103 cases of 2023.

Last year the station recorded 28 cases of motor vehicle and motorcycle theft, while this year it recorded 26 cases.

Silverton station

This station continued to be under strain from contact crimes, subcategories of aggravated robbery and crimes detected by police action.

Sexual offences have grown by 3 counts with 27 recorded cases from the 24 of last year.

Attempted murder grew by 2 counts with 6 cases, from 4 last year.

Carjackings have increased with 40 cases, compared to the 36 last year.

Robberies at residential premises have increased by three counts with 20 cases, compared to 17 cases in 2023.

Theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles has continued to be an issue for the last five consecutive quarters. This year, the station recorded a 27.9% increase with 55 recorded cases from 43 cases last year.

Garsfontein station

Although this station didn’t feature among the country’s 30 most crime-plagued stations, it is still struggling with other serious crimes and crimes detected by police action.

Garsfontein used to be a hotspot for motor vehicle and motorcycle theft during the previous quarters, however, in the latest period, it saw a decline of 20.7%.

The station also recorded a 12-count decline in robberies at residential premises, with 8 cases from 20 the previous year.

It also recorded a decrease in burglaries at non-residential premises, with 10 counts lower and 33 cases from the 43 of the previous year.

Community-reported serious crimes are still a big issue for Garsfontein, as it recorded 879 cases compared to the 853 cases in 2023.

Commercial crimes grew by 11.6% with 221 recorded cases from 198 last year.

Murder cases have increased by 4 counts compared to one in 2023.

Common robberies have also increased by 7 counts with 19 cases from the 12 cases last year.

While the Garsfontein police station continues to report a decline in crime, the Garsfontein CPF however implored the public to remain alert.

CPF chairperson Aris Ruyter said the recent decrease is the result of well co-ordinated efforts between police, security companies, forums and the community.

Key initiatives of these crime-fighting efforts include increased patrols, joint operations and targeting of high-crime hotspots.

Recently, the Joint Operation Command, consisting of CPFs, police and security companies, have been hard at work in the east, thwarting potential robberies, theft of motor vehicles and house break-ins.

Ruyter pointed out increased police visibility as a factor as well as helping the east communities.

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