Foot patrols to continue in Joburg CBD

2012-01-08 18:28

Johannesburg - Foot patrols in the Johannesburg central business district were to continue beyond the festive season, Gauteng police said on Sunday.

Foot patrols would ensure quick responses to business and street robberies, Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said.

"Other crimes including dealing in drugs, counterfeit goods, theft and municipality by-laws will be the main targets. Undercover police are in operation to identify criminals and intercept their projection plans."

Dlamini said foot patrols, introduced as part of the "Safer Festive Season" operations, were to be supported by vehicles patrolling at strategic places in the city centre.

In the past week foot patrollers arrested 26 people for armed robberies, two for hijacking, 87 for possession of drugs with a combined street value of R150 000 and three for burglary, he said.

Police also seized 11 handguns, 64 knives and 1 000 counterfeit DVDs and CDs.

Four unlicensed shebeens in a local hostel were closed down and police seized two chest freezers and liquor worth more than R10 000 in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni.

Police would continue major operations, including stop and search, and major roadblocks on main routes and highways, until the end of the festive season, Dlamini said.

- SAPA