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A SLIVER of land wedged between the Liesbeeck River and the railway line in Rosebank is the focus of opportunistic muggers who target pedestrians in the area ? and students, nurses and elderly people are bearing the brunt of it.

Precise statistics are not available, simply because the majority of the robberies are never reported to the police. This is according to Richard and Retha Tait, the owners of the Alma Café in Alma Street below the railway line. They showed People's Post several notes they have made detailing dates and times of victims who run into their shop for help after being mugged. "It's a mugger's paradise," says Retha.

"Students, nurses from the Red Cross Children's Hospital and elderly people from the nearby retirement village are often robbed of their wallets and cellphones but, because their phones are not insured, they don't bother reporting it to the police."

The area lies between the river and the railway line and is a logical crime hot spot because of its easy access to the N2 highway at Settlers' Way, and onto the trains moving through the Rosebank Station.

The subways are hit frequently, with university students the targets as they make their way to or from campus.

According to Anton Slabber, a Masters student in criminology at UCT, "everyone around here has some or other experience of being attacked on the streets or in the subway".

Slabber was himself robbed at knifepoint while he was writing his exams last year but, despite being a criminologist-in-training, admits that he did not report the incident to the police. "I couldn't get to the police station because my car had been stolen the year before and, lets's face it, what's the point?" he says wryly.

Another UCT student, who did not want to be named, said she had been sexually assaulted and robbed while walking back to her rented flat in Lower Rosebank last year.

She said, although she is scared to walk alone now, she has little option as she cannot afford a car, or the rent on a flat closer to campus.

But help may soon be at hand. Residents and business owners in the area are determined to put an end to the opportunistic crime on the streets of Rosebank.

The Liesbeeck Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) was recently established and is now calling on the community to back its drive for a dedicated bicycle patrol, in conjunction with ADT.

Forms have been distributed in the suburb and a meeting was held to determine when the patrols could be implemented.

Explains Liesbeeck NHW committee member Marius Rabie, "We need to take back our streets. This is not about housebreaking, although the patrols will obviously reduce all crime in the area. It is literally about taking back our streets. We have had enough."

Actor Soli Philander and his wife, Toni, whose mother was raped and murdered in the Free State last year, agrees.

"We here in Rosebank have been targeted heavily in recent years. We have to look after ourselves. Every day there are reports and stories about someone being mugged or hi-jacked. I support any community drive that will increase our safety and I urge people to take the initiative by joining the neighbourhood watch. We must do something."

Rosebank residents who would like to sign up or find out more about the Liesbeeck NHW are asked to contact Martin Kirsten on 084 613 1362 or Lindsay Crawford on 083 778 3869. Forms can also be collected at the Alma Cafe.

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