Edenvale SAPS has stressed that crime in the Avenues is problematic and urges community members to be cautious.
This comes after concerns about the number of residential robberies and burglaries in the Avenues were brought to Bedfordview and Edenvale News’ attention.
According to a community member, whose family member was recently targeted, it is believed that a group of criminals may be operating.
Edenvale SAPS corporate communications officer Warrant Officer Jacob Mashile said although he couldn’t divulge specifics about the crimes, he highlighted that crimes in the Avenues and Eastleigh were a ‘pain’ for the station.
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“We are aware of this problem and we are working on it,” said Mashile.
He said the police are working with law enforcement agencies, security companies, NGOs, Edenvale CPF and neighbourhood patrollers.
The police also encouraged neighbourhoods to establish know-your-neighbour initiatives.
“Communities can’t determine and report who’s suspicious if they don’t know their neighbours,” said Mashile.
He urged residents to know each other, to communicate among themselves and to work in partnership with the security cluster.
The community were also advised to invest in additional security measures if they could afford them.
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This included installing burglar bars, security gates, and alarms and ensuring that all security measures worked correctly.
According to Mashile, one of the contributing factors to Edenvale’s crime is the town’s feeding schemes.
He said the schemes attract unwanted persons to the town or individuals who make use of the feeding schemes as a cover with the intention to commit a crime.
“Although we don’t have any proof, some of these individuals are causing problems.”
