Driving under the influence increased by 185 per cent throughout the 29-suburb Linden Precinct, while robbery with aggravated circumstances increased by 152 per cent in Linden Sector 2.
This Linden Police told residents at a meeting at the station on 15 October.
The meeting was held to inform residents of the crime statistics for Linden Sector 2, and for the whole Linden Precinct, for this financial year compared to the last.
Within the entire precinct the highlights were:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increased from 128 to 365 incidents
- Sexual crimes decreased from 50 to 38
- Common assault decreased from 230 to 188
- Common robbery increased from 129 to 152
- Theft of motor vehicles decreased from 458 to 322
- Burglary at residential premises increased from 883 to 891
- Murder increased from three to four
- Attempted murder increased from 11 to 13.
Within Sector 2 the highlights were:
- Robbery with aggravated circumstances increased from 21 to 53, despite the total number of incidents in the precincts dropping from 337 to 329
- Attempted murder increased from none to three
- Drug-related crimes increased from none to 10
- Common assault decreased from 46 to 28.
Head of Visible Policing for Linden Police Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Musthan said “[We are]doing our best with what we have, to try get crime down.” And Sector 2 does not have it as bad as the other sectors. “The police cannot stop all the crime,” said Linden Sector 2 Commander Warrant Officer Sarel Bredenhand. “You cannot rely on the police alone.” He said residents needed to find security companies that are able to adequately protect them.
Lt Col Musthan urged residents to attend more crime meetings. “In areas where the community is involved there is no crime at all,” he said. Linden Police Operations Commander Captain Alex Vermaak said, “the [crime] curve is pointing up” and the choices residents make will determine in which direction it goes. Capt Bredenhand added that “most” crime incidents occurred on 4th and 3rd avenues, Linden, and along Beyers Naudé Drive – major travelling routes in the precinct.
Linden Sector 2 includes the following suburbs: Linden, Darrenwood west of Republic Road, Victory Park, Emmarentia, Pierneef Park, Aldarapark, Montroux, Risidale and Roosevelt Park.
Details: Linden Police 011 888 9212.
