About Us	Search	Advertising

	Brought to you by:

GRASSY PARK police are concerned about the increase of property-related crimes in the area.

The area's crime statistics, which reflect the number of crimes repor?ted in the past year (April 2007 to March 2008), show that burglaries at residential premises have increased by 4,5%, compared to the previous year.

From April 2006 to March 2007, 723 cases were reported, with this year's statistics showing that 756 cases have been reported.

Senior Superintendent Johan Marais, station commissioner of the Grassy Park police station, says that an analysis over a five-year period gives a clearer indication of crime tendencies.

"In the 2002 to 2003 crime statistics, 956 residential burglaries were reported as opposed to the 756 registered for the 2007 to 2008 financial year."

He says that another concern is the 26% increase of theft of motor vehicles. In the 2006 to 2007 financial year the number of reported incidents of theft of motor vehicles was 197, in relation to this financial year, during which 248 cases were reported.

However, though it seems property-related crimes are on the up, there has been a decrease in a number of other reported crimes.

Malicious damage to property, in comparison to the 2006 to 2007 crime statistics, decreased by 12%. Other decreases include attempted murder (which dropped by 18% compared to the provincial change, which records a 9,9% drop) and common robbery at a 32% drop compared to the provincial drop of 1,3%.

"Robbery with aggravating circumstances has shown a reduction of 3,5%. Rape has also been reduced by 7%," says Marais.

Although the crime statistics for 2007 to 2008 reflect that drug-related crimes increased from 586 to 777, Marai says this is a positive thing as it reflects the number of arrests made by the police.

"This reflects the dedication and hard work of police officials on the ground. It however also lends itself to the fact that drug abuse is rife and on the increase in the area."

He says that business burglaries have decreased from 224 in the last financial year to 197 this financial year.

"This is in contrast to the increase of business robberies, where a total of 4 were registered." This compared to none the year before.

According to Marais, police have been focusing on robberies at business premises, "as the criminal element has been targeting these companies".

"Grassy Park police precinct is a diverse... community, where poverty, unemployment ?and economic hardship is a fact of life.

"This, coupled with the abuse of alcohol and drugs, is a contributing factor to the crime statistics. This does not detract from the duties and responsibilities of SAPS in reducing crime," says Marais.

The police will be holding sessions at various community centres to discuss and explain this financial year?s crime statistics with the community. They will be at the following venues:

? De Wet Road Community Hall in Ottery, today (Tuesday 15 July) at 19:00;

? Lotus River Recreational Centre in Buck Road, Lotus River, on Tuesday 22 July at 19:00;

? Parkwood Community Hall in Walmer Road, Parkwood, on Tuesday 29 July at 19:00;

For more information or to report a crime, phone the Grassy Park Police Station on (021) 700-3900.

	Back to top
©