Police say criminals more active on Fridays in this area

The Honeydew CPF held its monthly public meeting on April 10.

The meeting, presented by Honeydew CPF Sector 3 chairperson, Anthony Beer, and Honeydew police’s Warrant Officer Molly Ramukosi provided feedback to residents regarding crime incidents and trends in the area.

The meeting was well attended, with residents concerned about crime after the home invasion and rape in Florin Street. According to Ramukosi, more rape incidents were reported during March in Amarosa and Little Falls.

Unlike the Florin Street incident, the perpetrators in the other incidents were known to the victims.

According to Ramukosi, theft, fraud, shoplifting, and vehicle theft remain alarmingly high. Crime is highest on Fridays, followed closely by Saturdays. Sunday was the quietest day in terms of crime for March.

Most crimes were committed in the timeslot between 15:00 and 18:00, followed by 00:00 to 03:00. Crimes reported during March included burglary, assault, common robbery, vehicle theft, theft out of motor vehicles, cable theft, and fraud among others.

Ramukosi once again warned motorists to be on guard as car and motorcycle thefts, theft out of motor vehicles, and theft of wheels and rims remain high in the area.

She also warned elderly residents to be aware of fraudsters at local shopping centres, who seem to specifically target elderly people.

According to Beer, daytime crime statistics are fast becoming a worry.

“Criminals don’t wait for the cover of darkness anymore,” he says. “We are seeing a lot of crime happening in broad daylight, and that is a concern.”

Beer pointed out that even cable thieves seem to be working much more openly, as passersby naturally assume it is City Power workers working on the side of the road.

Beer once again congratulated the Honeydew police on their much improved response times, and their increased visibility.

“We are seeing more police cars on the road, and much faster response times.”

He urged residents to report crime, even if it seems insignificant.

“Remember, even if it is something petty, report it. If we all report crime when it happens, we can justify more police vehicles on the road and stronger deployment of resources to our area.”

Beer called on residents to become involved with the work of residents associations (RAs).

“Residents associations are clearing open areas and greenbelts, and everywhere they clear, they are finding signs of crime – especially stripped cable. This is a big project undertaken by the RAs and we urge residents to get involved. If we clean up these areas, the criminals have nowhere to hide.”