Residents urged to unite as suburbs in Pretoria East record sharp crime increase
The CPF says coordinated patrols, information sharing, and active resident involvement are essential to curb rising break-ins, theft, and damage to property.
The Elarduspark Community Police Forum (CPF) has raised concern about a sharp increase in crime across several Pretoria East suburbs.
According to Shawn Fouché, spokesperson for Lyttelton Sector 4 Community Policing Sub Forum, 540 incidents have already been recorded in 2025.
She said this is a significant rise compared to the 367 reported in the full year of 2024.
The affected areas include Wingate Park, Elarduspark, Rietvalleirand, Rietvalleipark and Erasmuskloof Extension 2.
“These figures cover a wide range of incidents, from serious crimes such as murder to more preventable matters like open gates,” Fouché said.
Fouché identified the top five reported incident types for 2025 as follows:
– House break-ins
– Theft
– Damage to property
– Trespassing
– Attempted break-ins.
“These trends highlight a concerning rise in property-related crimes and underscore the need for stronger community vigilance and proactive crime prevention,” Fouché explained.
To combat crime and support residents, Fouché said the Elarduspark CPF has rolled out a number of initiatives.
“We have coordinated patrols with local security companies and CPF volunteers, especially during peak crime hours.
“The CPF is also raising online awareness campaigns educating residents about home security, reporting procedures and prevention tactics.”
Fouche elaborated that they have also expanded the use of security cameras and licence plate recognition systems, and said that they share information with trusted partners, such as the police.
She added that strong partnerships with local police and private security providers ensure faster response times and improved intelligence sharing.
“We also have community engagement through social media groups and CPF meetings, encouraging residents to report suspicious behaviour and take part in crime prevention efforts.”
Fouché urged residents not to underestimate the importance of their involvement.
“We urge residents to remain vigilant, report all incidents no matter how small, and get involved with the CPF or neighbourhood watch structures,” she said.
The CPF emphasised that crime prevention remains most effective when communities, police, and security companies work hand-in-hand to create a safer environment for all.
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