Contact crime on the rise in Durban
Blue Security releases its crime stats for the greater Durban area for the past year.
BLUE Security’s crime statistics have revealed an increase in contact crimes, including armed robbery and assault, in the greater Durban area during the past year.
The company’s crime statistics compare the number of incidents reported to it by its clients for the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 with 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014 today.
The managing director for the security company, Henk Van Bemmelen, said contact crimes had increased by 10 per cent, while non-contact crimes had risen by 11,69 per cent for the period overall.
“Incidents of armed robbery at businesses and residential premises, which were measured together, rose by 6,91 per cent,” he said.
The number of assaults reported to the company had risen by 68 per cent while personal robbery had risen by 76 per cent. Hijacking was reported to have decreased by 22 per cent. Trespassing incidents had escalated by 585 per cent and vandalism by 22 per cent.
“These statistics reveal that we are making a difference in the fight against crime and that partnerships with the police and residents are starting to pay off as reflected by the decline in housebreaking incidents,” he said.
“The fact that perpetrators are being spotted and caught on properties and charged with trespassing, before being able to take their crime to the next level, is reflected in the rise of trespassing incidents. It also indicates that residents are vigilant and that people have stepped up their external security barriers.”
The company, clients and SAPS had together affected 200 arrests for the period for crimes ranging from trespassing to housebreaking, which reflected a 16,96 per cent increase in the number of criminals taken into custody.
“However, the increasing levels of contact crimes and the huge increase in trespassing cases indicates that crime is still a major problem facing Durban and that we must continue to combat crime as a united front working with SAPS, residents and neighbourhood watch groups so that we can begin to feel safe in our homes again,” he said.
