17 February 2009
Since the launch of crime line in June 2007, 635 persons have been arrested and R24,8 million worth of goods have been seized by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Crime line is an anonymous tip-off service which appeals to members of the public to blow the whistle on criminals by sending an SMS to 32211 or an e-mail from the web site http://www.crimeline.co.za.
Since the launch, crime line has gained the support of various media organisations. The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Jacaranda 94.2, Algoa FM, Caxton Newspapers, the Independent Group of Newspapers, community publications and community radio are supporting the initiative. Other partners will also be coming on board shortly. The various Primedia companies have invested millions of rands to promote crime line.
Jeremy Mansfield of 94.7 Highveld Stereo's Rude Awakening has also recently launched an initiative specifically aimed at acknowledging police officials who have excelled in acting on anonymous tip-offs received via crime line. It will be supported by Talk Radio 702. Pick 'n Pay has partnered with the two radio station to honour top cops.
"We hope that all these efforts will ensure that tip-off's are made from all parts of the country, not just the Western Cape and Gauteng, two provinces which have been leading the way in responding to tip-offs and effecting arrests," said Director Sally de Beer of the Acting National Commissioner's office.
"However, over the past few months, arrests were made in KwaZulu Natal, the North West province and the Free State which indicates that the word is spreading thanks to the various partnerships which are being formed," she added.
In Gauteng, a crime line sms, received on 6 February 2009, resulted in a man being arrested on 10 February for raping his 17 year old mentally disabled sister. He appeared in court on Friday but in order to protect the victim, the identity of the suspect cannot be revealed.
An interesting case emanating from the Western Cape over the festive season resulted in one person being arrested in Simons Town on 24 December 2008. A Crime Line sms indicated that card fraud was taking place at a particular shop. The information was followed up by the commercial branch of Cape Town and a man was arrested after a skimming device was found in the possession of a cashier.
"We want to remind members of the community firstly to provide as much detailed information in the tip-off as possible," said De Beer. "Secondly, we must remind community members not to treat Crime Line as a means of reporting an emergency situation. The police can only investigate crime tip-offs through this mechanism and not respond rapidly to an emergency, this must still be reported through 10111 or to the nearest police station. It is also not a complaints line."
Head of Primedia's Crime Line, Yusuf Abramjeem said "on average, one criminal is arrested every day a tip a day keeps the criminal away. We appeal to the public to continue passing on detailed information anonymously about those involved in wrongdoing.
"It is heartening to see that members of the public are no longer remaining silent, Crime Line is a safe way of blowing the whistle on criminals," Abramjee added.
"We must also target the criminals who are responsible for serious crimes such as murder, hijacking, cash and bank heists and house robberies. Last year, a list of six of Gauteng's most wanted was circulated. Unfortunately no arrests have as yet been made, but we must continue to be on the lookout for the men who are regarded as dangerous. The photos can be viewed on http://www.crimeline.co.za," he added.
Abramjee said "the public is the police and the police are the public. Let's do our civic duty and reduce the levels of crime by getting the bad guys nabbed."
Enquiries:
Sally de Beer
Cell: 082 779 8658
Yusuf Abramjee
Cell: 082 4414 203
Issued by: South African Police Service
17 February 2009
