RAMSGATE Community Policing Forum advises that property crime in general showed an increase over that reported in September last year. Both domestic and business housebreakings, a case of aggravated robbery, and a threefold increase in serious traffic offences contributed to the 18 percent increase in overall crime reports. However thefts are down by 20 percent and no house robberies were reported. Again this month there was one case of theft of copper piping from a house after forcible entry was gained through the roof.
In addition reservists attended to a further 34 requests for police assistance, including reports of suspicious vehicles, public drunkenness, loiterers, a missing person, a mental patient wandering at large and domestic disturbances. Ramsgate reservists assisted Southbroom sector once and the farming sector on two occasions during the month.
A successful combined sweep operation was carried out by reservists, units from Margate SAPS and Wolf Security during the month in the Ramsgate area concentrating on beaches, areas where vagrants congregate and other ‘hot spots’.
A total of 134 arrests were made during the month including four ‘A class’ (housebreaking and drug dealing) and 130 ‘B class’ offences.
The items most attractive to criminals are cellphones, iPads, laptop and desktop computers, television sets and other electronic goods. Quite often the serial numbers of these items are on a removable sticker which, if it becomes detached, makes positive identification difficult. In addition to recording serial numbers of what could be called ‘attractive’ items, residents are asked to consider putting hidden permanent marking on them so that if necessary, sold items can be positively identified at a later date.
“The fact that criminals can steal geysers and copper piping from residences during the day is worrying,” says chairman, Peter Huson. “To do so they must make a noise and must also use a vehicle to carry it away. Please be vigilant and should you see what appear to be contractors working on a neighbour’s house while they are away contact the 24-hour police assistance number 073 4868683 so reservists can investigate.”
