Crime stats: Durban experiences ‘crime holiday’ during lockdown, says minister

CONSISTENT with national trends, major crimes in Berea and Umbilo were significantly down during the second quarter of the year.

Bheki Cele, Minister of Police, released the quarterly stats on Friday which cover the period between 1 April and 30 June.

The period also coincided with the national lockdown, due to the coronavirus pandemic, which started on 26 March.

“South Africa experienced a never seen before crime holiday,” said Cele.

“Opportunities for crime to thrive (during this time) was not possible.”

All indicators of crime for Umbilo were down, except for burglary at non-residential premises (14.4 per cent) and shoplifting (54 per cent) when compared to the same period as last year.

ALSO READ: Crime stats a concern for Umbilo and Berea

In the annual crime statistics, Durban Central was ranked as the sixth area with the most reported crimes in the country but in the quarterly statistics, all crimes are decreased or remained the same from last year.

Cele remarked that break-ins into educational and liquor facilities during the lockdown period remained a concern.

An overall decrease in major crimes was also true for Berea with only rape cases increasing from 1 to 2 compared to last year.

Sexual offenses were down nationally, something Cele said needed further investigation.

“The SAPS (South African Police Service) will investigate whether the drop was a result of non-reporting where the victims could not escape their abusers due to the lockdown,” he said.

ALSO READ: Alcohol the root of all crime, says Cele

Despite a significant decrease in crime, Cele said there was a spike in crime from the beginning of June as lockdown restrictions were being eased across the country.

Speaking on the all-round decline in crime, Cele also credited the prohibition of alcohol as an important factor.

“The evidence is clear, the absence of alcohol does lead to safer cities,” he said. “It is also time that we as a country start having a frank and open discussion about alcohol and the effect it has on society.”

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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.

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