Collaboration between private security companies yeilds positive results

With crime in communities soaring, reliance on police alone is no longer enough to ensure that criminals are brought to book.

Collaboration between police and private security companies has become an essential tool, as was evident in the capture of a suspect involved in a recent robbery in Fairland.

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The Civilian Crime Intelligence Network is an NGO that brings different crime fighting role players together under one umbrella to fight crime more effectively.

“The fight against crime is not something that can be done in silos. It is necessary for crime fighters to collaborate, network and share resources and be organised if we are to win this war,” said Dr Mikial Patel, founder and head of the group.

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He described how state entities are often short of resources and funding which leave citizens vulnerable to criminal activity. “Criminals are efficient and highly organised, so we need to be too.”

There is a critical shortage of personnel in the police, acknowledged by the speech delivered by General Bheki Cele, Minister of Police on May 24 in his budget vote speech.

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Recently, six armed robbers hit a SPAR supermarket in Fairland, and a garage nearby and fled across the city before they were cornered in New Doornfontien. One suspect was arrested, a vehicle seized and some stolen goods recovered.

This was only possible because private security companies collaborated and shared intelligence and resources to catch the perpetrators. “This is exactly the kind of working together we encourage and support,” said Patel.

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The armed men forced female staff at the SPAR to hand over cash and other items at gunpoint before they fled in a white double cab bakkie.

At the garage, which was hit moments later, cash and cigarettes were stolen at gunpoint and a woman had her cell phone stolen.

This formed the golden thread between law enforcement and the criminals. SCP Security arrived and managed to find a laptop with which they tracked the movements of the phone as it travelled across the city.

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SCP Security and EC Security collaborated by sharing critical intelligence which resulted in the bakkie being cornered and one suspect arrested. Other suspects fled into the nearby informal settlement while others used a Hyundai vehicle which is also believed to have been involved.

An unlicensed firearm, cigarettes and a lot of cash were recovered wrapped in plastic, believed to have come from the garage.

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“A trio task team will consolidate cases and investigate with one investigation officer,” said Station Commander at Fairland Police Station Lieutenant Colonel Clive de Freitas. The suspect was held at Fairland police station and attended court on October, 9. Updates will be provided as they become available.

Patel said, “This is a good example of working together to fight crime. Criminals come together to rape and kill us, so we need to come together to stop them as crime fighting partners.”

Manager at the SPAR supermarket Lunga Thwala said, “The women who work for us that were held up at gunpoint are doing alright, but we will continue to monitor and support them as and when they need it.”

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