BEREA police led a joint operation with support from members of Mayville SAPS, Umbilo SAPS, Durban Central, the K9 Unit and Durban Metro Police to 'disrupt' all criminal activity at various crime hot spots in the area.
The operation, led by Colonel WR Xulu started at Berea Park, an area known among the community for vagrants, criminal elements and drug dealers plying their trade. However when the dozens of police members swept through the park, there no criminal elements were to be found. A thorough sweep of the park revealed no drugs or vagrants.
The next stop on the operation was Ritson Road, near DUT, where police members split into two groups and stopped and searched all suspicious people, vehicles and activity. “This is known as a sandwich operation, where we target either end and search for illegal activity as we sweep the streets of crime looking for drugs and weapons,” he explained.
A vendor selling chips, sweets and cigarettes was searched and four packets of dagga were found on her by police. Police arrested the woman for possession of dagga.
A student who watched the police members sweep through the road searching street vendors told Berea Mail the vendor would be back tomorrow. “They don't stop, and will be selling again when the operation is over. I have been here for six years and in that time there are always vendors selling drugs,” the student said.
Meanwhile, Colonel Xulu was happy with the results yielded and the message the operation sent out. “We are targeting contact and property crimes, which was becoming a problem in our area. This operation is done to show police visibility, disrupt and discourage all illegal activity. We will be stationed at various malls and complexes in the coming weeks. We are glad to have the support of our neighbouring stations, Umbilo, Mayville, Durban Central, the Dog Unit, student constables and Metro Police in this the first of many random operations.”
