Barbara Road bridge a hot spot for crime – Mashile
“If you are still being followed, go to the police station and request assistance.”
In the hopes of reducing crime around the Barbara Road bridge, four police stations and the EMPD are set to join forces.
Edenvale SAPS spokesperson Sgt Jacob Mashile said the bridge has become a hot spot for crime in recent years, specifically smash-and-grab-related crimes, and recently hijackings and robberies.
Mashile said although the four corners of the bridge fall under four different policing precincts, namely Edenvale, Kempton Park, Germiston and Bedfordview, the area is problematic.
“The decision for the stations to join forces was made earlier this year,” said Mashile. “The reason this is a smash-and-grab hot spot is that the suspects will commit the crime and run down the embankment of the off-ramps towards the R24 and get into a waiting getaway car and flee either in the direction of the airport or Gillooly’s.”
Mashile said the decision to work together was also prompted by the robbery of a courier vehicle on February 16. Mashile said an unknown number of suspects, armed with handguns, robbed a courier vehicle.
“The suspects shot and injured the driver and crew member of the courier vehicle,” said Mashile. “Both victims were taken to hospital and survived.”
Mashile said officers will conduct more patrols, specifically during the evening when criminal activities appeared to increase. “Edenvale’s sector three patrol vehicle will work closely with Sebenza SAPS to patrol the area,” explained Mashile.
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He appealed to community members and motorists to be more vigilant while travelling around the Barbara Road bridge.
“If you believe you are being followed, contact a security company and travel towards a police station.
“If you are still being followed go to the police station and request assistance.”
Mashile told motorists not to travel with large sums of money and to never travel with valuables visible in their vehicle.
• Edenvale Police Station – 011 553 8600
• Bedfordview Police Station – 011 457 2299
• Kempton Park Police Station – 011 393 8600
• Germiston Police Station 011 871 5019
Alternatively, contact 10111 or 08600 10111
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
