With the release of the 2018/19 SA crime statistics, a total of 3 545 cases were reported at Edenvale Police Station between April 2018 and March 2019.
Also read: #CrimeStats – Sexual Assault tops Edenvale Crime Stats with 80% increase
“In terms of crime, last year was not a good year for Edenvale Police Station,” said Edenvale SAPS spokesperson Sgt Jacob Mashile.
“Going forward we hope to improve upon the statistics, but we need the assistance from the community.”
Crimes in Edenvale which increased significantly compared to the 2017/18 year included:
• Sexual offences: an increase of 60 per cent.
• Assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH): an increase of 60 per cent.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and or drugs: an increase of 59.9 per cent.
• Theft of motor vehicle or motorcycle: an increase of 28.9 per cent.
Mashile said the station works closely with other law enforcement agencies, security companies and stakeholders to keep Edenvale safe.
The statistics were broken down into 21 categories, 17 of which are crimes reported by community members and four which are crimes detected by police action.
Sexual offences
During the 2018/19 year documented, nine rape, nine sexual assault, one attempted sexual offence and five contact sexual offence cases were reported at Edenvale Police Station.
Mashile said a lot of the sexual offences in Edenvale occurred in vehicles parked in parking areas near a veld or along the road.
To combat these crimes and this modus operandi the station will try to increase the number of patrols and do stop and searches of vehicles more frequently.
He urged community members to work with the police during stop-and-search operations.
“If residents see a suspiciously parked vehicle they need to report it to the sector vehicle number.”
Mashile urged victims of sexual assault to open a case at the station.
“The suspect who assaulted the victim may be responsible for other sexual assaults already under investigation.”
Besides increasing visible policing Mashile said the station hopes to host more awareness campaigns to educate the community about sexual assault.
Assaults
Mashile said most of the assault cases documented in Edenvale occur behind closed doors or on private property.
“Many of the assault GBH cases were related to domestic violence.”
Mashile said incidents related to domestic violence need to be reported by the victim or by a community member who suspects domestic violence is occurring.
“We can only investigate matters related to domestic violence if we are aware of them.”
Assault cases can be reported to the sector vehicle number or the Social Crime Prevention Unit (SCPU).
“Once the crime is reported it will be investigated by Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigations or the station’s SCPU.”
In the year to come Mashile hopes to host more anti-domestic violence awareness campaigns with the community.
Driving under the influence
The 547 DUI cases documented in Edenvale saw the station listed as the number 11 nationally.
Mashile believes the frequent operations conducted by the station, in partnership with other law enforcement agencies resulted in the high number of cases.
“Operations against DUI occur throughout the year but with the festive season approaching they will be done more frequently.”
He said instead of driving under the influence community members should make use of e-hailing services or a designated driver.
If community members witness a person they suspect is under influence get behind the wheel of a car, they can report it to the SAPS.
Mashile said when reporting a suspected intoxicated driver, details which should be reported include:
• The make, colour and model of the vehicle.
• The vehicle’s registration number.
• The direction the suspected intoxicated driver was driving.
Mashile said when a driver is stopped by an SAPS officer who suspects them of driving under the influence, the officer should introduce themselves and explain to the motorist why they were stopped.
“The officer will ask the driver to get out of the vehicle and will give further explanations for the stop.”
Once out of the vehicle, the officer will ask the motorist if they are willing to do a breathalyser test.
“If the motorist agrees they must open the breathalyser pipe’s packaging and ask to be shown that the breathalyser is 0.0.
“If the motorist’s breathalyser result is over 0.05, they will be arrested and taken to the police station or hospital where a registered medical practitioner will draw blood for tests. Once blood is drawn the motorist will be charged.”
Theft of motor vehicles or motorcycles
Mashile appealed to the community to listen to the advice offered by the SAPS to prevent this crime.
He said most of the of motor vehicle cases occurred near shopping centres in the station’s precinct.
Advice and preventive tips included:
• Park vehicles in a well-lit and secure area when parking in a public area.
• Park the vehicle in a garage while at home.
• Make use of a steering lock and a gear lock.
• Ensure your vehicle is locked by testing the door handles.
• Know where your car keys are at all times.
• Use a vehicle tracking company if you can afford it.
He urged motorists to be aware of their surroundings as criminals are using a new modus operandi.
“The criminals will often be in a car next to the victim and while they get out of the vehicle the criminals will open the back door of the car.”
“The victim will walk away, lock their car thinking it is safe meanwhile the criminals have already gained access to it.”
Important numbers to keep at hand:
- Crime Emergency – 10111
- Crime stop – 08600 10111
- Edenvale SAPS Station 011 553 8600
- Sector one and three SAPS Vehicle number – 071 675 6841
- Sector two and four SAPS Vehicle number – 071 675 6844
- EMPD – 011 999 5041 /2093 or 011 458 0911 (24 hrs).
