Reporting crime early helps police analyse crime trends, says Hillcrest SAPS

REPORTING all cases gives police an indication of the areas where they need to focus and increase their patrols.

“We analyse all crime trends. By not reporting cases we won’t have the correct analysis of the crimes being committed,” said Hillcrest SAPS communications officer, Capt Linzi Smith.

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She said Hillcrest police have noticed an increase in case that are ‘reported late’.

“When we analyse our reported crime, we then focus on targeted areas and place our vehicles to specifically patrol those areas. When crime is reported days or weeks later this throws our analysis out and instead of focusing on targeted areas when the trend arises, we are patrolling areas where the crimes occurred days to weeks earlier.

“In order for us to try be as effective as possible we are urging the community to report their cases timeously and not delay, especially policeable crimes.”

Smith reported that it was also important to have your house numbered correctly and clearly. “We are experiencing time delays in responding as houses are not numbered.”

By even reporting suspicious persons/s, Smith said they can send a police officer to check them out.

“If they had any intention of committing an offence, that one call or report could possibly displace the suspects and the crime out of our area.”

She added that by people being more vigilant and  working together with police, it could make a big difference.

Smith advised people, who are new to the area, to find out about their neighbourhood watch team and sign up.

“People can post on those groups and be able to get help as the key players are directly linked to a ‘response group’.”

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