Good and bad news for Ramsgate residents

RAMSGATE Community Policing Forum has expressed concern about Ramsgate’s elevated crime statistics for December.

According to chairman Peter Huson, the high number of reported housebreakings had contributed to this December’s 30 percent crime increase, compared to statistics for December 2012.

There were three reasons for this increase in property crime, he said. Firstly, the forum’s SAPS sector vehicle had been off the road for the whole of December. The only replacement vehicles available had been bakkies without a canopy, hampering law enforcers’ ability to make arrests. The vehicle had now been repaired, he said.

The forum had not been allocated the additional police dogs and dog handlers it had requested. Also, a number of criminals who had previously operated in Ramsgate had been released from prison without the SAPS being informed.

“Information on one of these men was given to our sector manager. This was passed on and, following good work by the detective task force, the suspect was arrested. So far he has shown detectives the scenes of seven housebreakings he allegedly carried out in Ramsgate during December. A search is under way for two of his known associates,” said Mr Huson.

Apart from thefts out of motor vehicles, which rose to three, other December crime figures remained fairly stable compared to December last year. During the month the Ramsgate reservists had dealt with an accidental drowning on Ramsgate beach, had attended a house fire and had opened two cases of reckless or negligent driving. They had responded to 25 requests for police assistance concerning suspicious activities, motor vehicle accidents, drunk in public cases, vicious dogs, loiterers and domestic disturbances. They had assisted Margate police once and Southbroom police twice.

The good news was that, over the year, housebreakings had decreased by 15 percent, compared to 2012 figures. Thefts had decreased by six percent and arrests had increased by 35 percent.

Mr Huson asked residents always to report any incident of crime that took place in the Ramsgate sector. They should always insist on opening a case. If a case was not opened, the crime would not be recorded and this would affect the accuracy of crime statistics.

He appealed to Ramsgate residents to be law enforcers’ eyes and ears.

“Get to know your neighbourhood and get to know who belongs and who doesn’t. Remember that criminals seldom commit a crime without carrying out some form of surveillance or reconnaissance first. If you see anyone acting suspiciously please do not hesitate to telephone 073 4868683, the 24-hour Ramsgate police assistance number, without delay,” said Mr Huson.