Residents are demanding answers as to why Brooklyn is still the worst-performing precinct on South Africa’s ranking for motor vehicle and motorcycle theft, despite earlier assurances that new strategies are in place.

The recently released crime statistics, covering April to September, show that while other Pretoria east stations recorded improvements in key crime categories, Brooklyn continues to lead both Gauteng and the country in vehicle theft.

This comes months after police told residents and the media that enhanced visibility, targeted patrols and focused operations were being rolled out to curb the trend.

The precinct covers 28 suburbs, including Hatfield, Menlo Park, Waterkloof and Hazelwood, as well as the busy Menlyn and Nieuw Muckleneuk areas packed with students, shopping centres, restaurants and nightlife venues.

With crime remaining high in the very categories the police had promised to prioritise, residents are now demanding accountability.

Brooklyn resident Ian Fuller criticised the precinct as ‘completely dysfunctional,’ saying officers fail to respond to calls, ignore phones and are often seen idling on their cellphones while patrols remain minimal.

He said detectives miss appointments and that many crimes likely go unreported.

“Personal safety is my own responsibility because the police do nothing,” he said.

Brooklyn Sector 2 CPF chairperson Louis Erasmus said the group has repeatedly raised concerns about motor vehicle theft, but has yet to receive a response from the station.

He believes organised syndicates are operating in the area, particularly near schools and during events.

“The detectives should urgently establish a task team to investigate them,” he said.

Erasmus added that patrols are a reactive measure and difficult for the under-resourced station to sustain.

He noted that communities are now installing licence plate recognition cameras to help private security respond faster.

“We now rely more on private security and our own surveillance systems. The city should have implemented a CCTV network long ago.”

Ward councillor Tiaan Dippenaar said crime remains a major concern, particularly along Brooklyn and Hazelwood Roads.

He said that while growing local businesses helps create safer, more vibrant spaces, it can also draw criminals if police visibility is lacking.

“The community is increasingly relying on technology and private security to compensate for police shortcomings,” said Dippenaar.

He said Brooklyn has topped the national list for vehicle theft for too long and despite police promises of increased patrols, the situation has not improved.

Dippenaar added that their community’s licence plate recognition cameras will help identify suspicious vehicles quickly, allowing security companies to respond faster.

“The police are under-resourced, but they still need to do more. We must know who is entering and leaving our areas to fight crime effectively,” he said.

Dippenaar added that the metro should have invested in a proper CCTV network years ago.

In response to Rekord’s enquiry, police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the provincial crime statistics have not yet been officially released to the Portfolio Committee, and she is therefore not at liberty to comment directly on them.

However, she disputed claims that Brooklyn police are under-resourced.

“Brooklyn SAPS, which is divided into four sectors, has resources to ensure all areas are regularly patrolled and complaints are attended to as they are received.”

Nevhuhulwi said the station conducts regular crime-prevention operations in addition to district and provincial Operation Shanela activities, which aim to address problematic crimes and improve visibility.

She said these operations, conducted with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders, are having a positive impact on reducing crime.

She urged the public to continue working with police by reporting criminal activity on the Crime Stop line at 08600 10111 or anonymously via the MySAPS app.

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