LEAP officers arrest more than 1 150 suspects during February
The Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers once again made their presence felt in the various hotspot areas where they are deployed. Between 29 January and 3 March 2024, the officers arrested 1 155 individuals for various crimes, while confiscating 10 firearms. LEAP, which stems from the Western Cape Safety Plan(WCSP) is an initiative of the Western Cape Government(WCG) in partnership with the City of Cape Town(CoCT).
The 10 firearms confiscated were:
- x2 Pistols and x1 firearm in Bishop Lavis;
- x1 Pistol and x1 firearm in Delft;
- x1 Rifle in Gugulethu;
- x1 Pistol in Khayelitsha;
- x1 Zip gun in Kraaifontein;
- x1 Revolver in Manenberg; and
- x1 Pistol in Philippi.
Amongst others, the arrests included:
- 8 for the possession of illegal firearms,
- 12 for the possession of imitation firearms, including zip guns,
- 53 for the possession of dangerous weapons,
- 767 for the possession of drugs and
- 23 for dealing in drugs.
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, said: “As the WCG, we initiated the WCSP and by extension LEAP, to achieve greater safety in our hotspot areas and ultimately the whole of the Western Cape. These successes show how our officers are continuing to disrupt criminal activity where they are deployed. We commend them for their dedication. We will continue our efforts to combat crime, as the safety of our communities is our priority.”
LEAP is strategically deployed, and its operations are based on evidence and data so that they support communities most effected. This approach is also used as part of monitoring and evaluation to determine the effectiveness of LEAP and inform a cycle of continuous improvement. This includes our top 10 murder areas in the Western Cape, such as Delft, Gugulethu, Harare, Khayelitsha (Site B policing precinct), Kraaifontein, Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Philippi East, and Samora Machel. Other high crime areas in which they are deployed are Atlantis, Bishop Lavis and Hanover Park, along with Lavender Hill, Steenberg and Grassy Park.
LEAP officers work with a multitude of law enforcement agencies which is inclusive of other CoCT Law Enforcement agencies, the South African Police Service, Neighbourhood Watches, Community Policing Forums and various other stakeholders.
“It is critical that all safety stakeholders work together, as we all have the same goal of seeing residents live in a safe environment. The more we collaborate and remain united, the more we can ensure that criminals are unsuccessful. Residents are encouraged to work with our LEAP officers, as they are there to serve communities and combat crime,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.
Media enquiries:
Marcellino Martin
E-mail: Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za
Cell: 082 721 3362
