3 December 2007
The December/January festive season is usually a period during which the
South African Police Service (SAPS) notices an increase in various types of
crimes, ranging from property-related offences such as housebreaking to serious
and violent crimes. In many instances of violent crimes, the use of alcohol or
drugs plays a role and illegal firearms are invariably the type of weapon used
to commit the offences.
Crime prevention operations have already been launched in all provinces.
Although the South African Police Service is 100% committed to creating a safe
and secure environment for all South Africans during the holidays, it is widely
accepted that individuals and communities have a vital role to play. By
volunteering information on criminals and their activities and by taking
reasonable steps to ensure their own personal safety, community members,
business enterprises and other organisations can partner the SAPS in order to
act against crime together.
During this festive season, as on previous occasions, the SAPS will be
co-ordinating our crime prevention activities with those of other law
enforcement agencies and liaising with other government departments. As a
result of the close co-operation between government and business through the
Anti-Crime Leadership Forum, the private sector has joined hands with the SAPS
this holiday season and will be lending support. In terms of this initiative,
information will be shared on a daily basis to reduce the risk of aggravated
robberies throughout South Africa.
The participants are the SA Petroleum Industry (SAPIA), individual banks and
the SA Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), the Shopping Centre Security
Initiative, Consumer Goods Council of SA (CGCSA), the South Africa Post Office
and the Cash-In-Transit industry forum. These business groups have allocated
fulltime resources to work alongside the police in their National Joint
Operational Centre.
The SAPS would like to assure the community that all police operations over
the next several weeks are aimed at ensuring that a peaceful Christmas and New
Year can be enjoyed by all. Although police operations can be time-consuming
and inconvenient, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and cordon-and-search
operations will be conducted in certain areas throughout the country. We ask
that patience is exercised at all times and that those who are affected offer
their wholehearted co-operation with law enforcement officers who are
sacrificing their own holidays with their families in order to serve and
protect.
Criminals and criminal activity, whether already committed or in the
planning stages, as well as possession of illegal firearms, can be reported to
local police stations or:
Telephonically on Crime Stop 08600 10111
SMS: Crime Line 32211
Websites: http://www.saps.gov.za or
http://www.crimeline.co.za
Remember that in an emergency crime situation 10111 is the number to
dial.
Alcohol should always be consumed in moderation as incidents of violent
crimes, including sexual and domestic abuse, increase over weekends in
correlation with an increase in the consumption of liquor. Drivers are urged to
abstain or to follow guidelines for staying within the legal limit for driving,
for the safety of all on our roads, including pedestrians. An analysis of
recent crime statistics has revealed that arrests for driving under the
influence of alcohol have increased drastically over the past six months.
This is as a result of the excellent co-operation between the SAPS and the
various Metro Police Services. Between us there will be a zero-tolerance
approach towards drunken driving. Top management of the South African Police
Service would like to thank our members for their sterling efforts throughout
the year and to thank their families for their support and understanding. At
this time of year, police officials both men and women are expected to work
very long hours often under trying circumstances and their sacrifices are noted
and appreciated.
Issued by: South African Police Service
3 December 2007
Source: South African Police Service (http://www.saps.gov.za)
