Linden SAPS committed to combating crime

Linden Police Station seems to be combating crime – if the recent crime statistics for 2014/2015 financial year are to go by.

The statistics released on 2 December at the Linden Police hall, were applauded by residents who were in attendance.

Captain Alex Vermaak said that the police compiled crime data every day and this enabled them to fight crime more effectively.

He pointed out some shops in the area, as a hotspot for car jamming criminals, and it is where they have noted high incidents of theft of motor vehicles.

Capt Vermaak attributed some of their success to the patrol vehicles.

“They cover a distance of 234 km per night which enables them to respond to callouts within seven minutes,” said Capt Vermaak.

He urged residents to work together with the police as this would strengthen their efforts to combat crime in the area.

According to the police estimate, there are 16 crimes committed a day, over the last three years.

March 2014 compared to March 2015

Sector 1 crime stats were as follows:

• Residential burglaries went down from 227 to 218
• Business burglaries went down from 42 to 29
• Carjackings decreased from 40 to 34
• Aggravated robbers with a firearm decreased from 40 to 34
• Common robbery went up from 34 to 51
• Theft of motor vehicle increased from 105 to 144
• Theft out of motor vehicles increased from 148 to 196.

Sector 2 crime stats were as follows:

• Residential burglaries went down from 151 to 89
• Business burglaries increased from 15 to 19
• Carjackings decreased from 5 to 1
• Aggravated robberies with a firearm decreased from 17 to 15
• Common robbery decreased from 22 to 20
• Theft of motor vehicle decreased from 80 to 64
• Theft out of motor vehicles decreased from 135 to 82.

Sector 3 crimes stats were as follows:

• Residential burglaries went up from 238 to 263
• Business burglaries went down from 35 to 32
• Carjackings increased from 5 to 14
• Aggravated robbery with a firearm increased from 20 to 33
• Common robbery went down from 27 to 25
• Theft of motor vehicle increased from 62 to 238
• Theft out of motor vehicles decreased from 267 to 228.

Sector 4 crime stats were as follows:

• Residential burglaries went down from 220 to 277
• Business burglaries went down from 19 to 18
• Carjackings decreased from 16 to 10
• Aggravated robbery with a firearm increased from 28 to 48
• Common robbery went down from 63 to 53
• Theft of motor vehicle increased from 58 to 104
• Theft out of motor vehicles decreased from 136 to 123.

Details: Linden Police Station, 011 449 9115.

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Police warn of Linden ‘flasher’