Crime spikes in Newcastle residential areas
What were once safe and welcoming communities have now become fraught with fear and uncertainty with CPF social media groups buzzing day and night with notifications of break-ins and home invasions.
In this past week alone in Hutten Heights, a home invasion involving an elderly woman caught everyone’s attention, raising fear but also anger at having to live in fear.
The elderly woman was attacked in her home and robbed of her belongings in broad daylight on February 28 by a brazen criminal who broke a window to gain access to her house
There has also been suspicion that a crime syndicate may be operating in the areas as a grey Mercedes has been sighted and possibly connected to three burglaries.
According to SAPS Communication Officer, Lizzy Arumungam , a silver grey mercedez with a fake registration number could be linked to the recent house robberies. Newcastle SAPS is currently working on the information as it is believed the vehicle might possibly be from the Durban area.
SAPS confirms the overall spike in house break ins in the aforementioned residential areas and things that are taken mainly are items which can be sold on streets like tools, cell phones and laptops.
In a letter addressed to Newcastle Community Members, the Community Policing Forum said they note with great concern the increase in crime where criminals are targeting houses – regardless if the occupants are home or not.
According to CPF statistics 79 incidents have been reported in Hutten Heights, Pioneer Park, Sunny Ridge, Aviary Hill, Signal Hill, Barry Hertzog, Amiel Park, the CBD, and Amajuba Park.
Of these, Hutten Heights has reported the highest number of incidents (29), ranging from suspicious people seen around the neighbourhood to theft, fraud and even house burnings. When it comes to housebreakings, Hutten Heights leads with seven incidents, followed by Signal Hill with three, Sunny Ridge, with two, and Aviary Hill with one incident.
SAPS asks the public to please call SAPS or populate messages and photos on the structured CPF groups, which are in place, should they see any suspicious vehicles patrolling the areas.
Residents are also encouraged to be proactive and join the CPF patrols.
You can contact any of the following people from the Newcastle CPF for further information
Ismaeel Dhalech – 072 136 7677, Bennie Vorster – 083 406 9379, Asif – 065 879 2316, Jan Janse van Rensburg – 076 279 3422, Belinda Ellor – 071 404 3575, Theunis Joubert – 083 651 1989, Deon (Magenta) – 064 392 0047, Yusuf – 072 897 6747, Brian – 063 130 6867, Shaukat – 063 816 1235
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