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ROBBERIES at business premises in the Maitland precinct proved to show one of the highest increases during the 2007-2008 financial year.

Station statistics released by the office of provincial police commissioner Mzwandile Petros on Friday revealed a 1 400% increase in business robberies in the precinct, which comprises Parden Island, Brooklyn and the Maitland industrial sector. This represents 14 reported cases compared to 0 cases reported in 2006/2007.

Contact crimes such as murder increased by 60% (five cases reported in 2006/2007 compared to eight reported cases in 2007/2008), and rape by 90%, (10 reported cases compared to 19 cases). However, assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm decreased by 39%, (93 reported cases compared to 57), while common assault decreased by 16 % (253 reported cases compared to 213).

Drug-related crimes showed a marked decrease of 55% (234 reported cases compared to 105).

Senior Superintendent Willie Joseph, station commissioner at the Maitland police station, remained optimistic about the outcome of the station's annual statistics, and called on business owners to improve their security measures.

"We often meet with the business forum in the area and inform them about crime trends," he says.

Joseph highlighted that the successes accomplished by the station with regards to drug-related crime could largely be attributed to the increase in prosecution of drug dealers in the area.

Meanwhile, the Woodstock police have reported a "satisfactory" result in their release of the crime statistics, though contact crimes increased by 64% (11 reported cases during 2006/2007 compared to 18 reported cases during 2007/2008) attempted murder by 50% (12 reported cases compared to 18) and rape by 5% (22 reported cases compared to 23).

Sergeant Hilton Malila, communications officer at the Woodstock police, said the overall picture revealed that statistics for contact crimes, including all assaults, rapes and murders, decreased by 10%.

He attributed the substantial increase in the rate of murders and attempted murders to the eruption of gang violence in the precinct.

Woodstock station is considered a property-related crime station, says Malila, and according to the statistics released, the station's management has succeeded in reducing the crimes in this category by 15% compared to statistics for the 2006/2007 financial year. Property-related crimes include robberies, burglaries, theft of cars and out of cars, as well as malicious damage to property.

Malila attributed widespread decreases in other crime categories to an improved focus on sector policing, with better interaction between residents and police sector management, as well as the deployment of more reservists at the station during the previous financial year.

"We are happy and satisfied, but we can always do better," he says.

Senior Superintendent Cas Goolam, station commissioner at the Kensington police station, says he is particularly concerned about the high prevalence of housebreaking and assault cases in the precinct.

According to the statistics, burglary at residential premises showed a 30% increase (146 cases reported in 2006/2007 compared to 190 cases in 2007/2008), while burglary at business premises showed a 39% increase (51 reported cases compared to 71). Commercial crime showed a decrease of 80 % compared to the previous financial year (116 compared to 23).

Similarly, indecent assault within the precinct decreased by 54% (13 reported cases compared to 6).

Goolam spoke of the deployment of about 11 students at the station this month, which he says he hopes will help to increase visibility and deter criminal activity.

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