Shebeens and illegal liquor outlets targeted as part of police operation.
Brixton police hosted one of their regular crime-fighting operations on January 2022. In addition to the focus on house and business robberies, they paid special attention to shebeens and liquor outlets that were operating illegally.
According to Brixton Police Station spokesperson Jeanette Backhoff, these establishments are known to add to crime in the area.
“During the operation, we closed two shebeens in the Vrededorp area for various reasons. The establishments also contributed to crime in and around the area so it was important to shut them down.”
The liquor at these establishments were confiscated with the owners being fined. Police vowed to continue looking for such outlets and deal them the same fate if found to be acting illegally.
The police also had patrols and stop-and-searches to find firearms and other potentially dangerous weapons to take them off the streets. Backhoff added, “We also interacted with people standing on the street or sitting in vehicles who could be easy targets to crime. Such people are usually targeted for their cell phones, bags, valuables in their possession and cars and the cars themselves. A lot of these crimes happen due to negligence and criminals taking advantage of the situation.”
The police continue to warn the public to be vigilant and careful whenever in public spaces, regardless of the time of day.
Backhoff concluded, “Brixton police will continue with these kinds of operations to reduce crime in the area but we need the help of the community to ensure that they put their safety first. They can do this by putting valuables away when they walk in the street and not to sit in front of their houses in vehicles with friends and rather go into the yards where it is safe.”
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