Crime will not only increase this year, but also be with an ‘added aggression’. So said Honeydew Sector 1 Community Policing Forum chairperson Greg Pearce at the sector’s forum meeting at The Barn Christian Fellowship, Boskruin, on 9 February. “We expect an increase in crime this year as we have in the previous years but with an added aggression,” he said.
“We are experiencing increased vagrant type crime, street robberies [muggings], smash-and-grabs, and housebreaking and robberies.”
According to Pearce, most criminals committing these crimes are opportunistic, and do not plan ahead of committing crime.
“They target individuals who are not vigilant and homes with easy access,” Pearce explained.
He said that a vagrant who commits crime is usually under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and, having nothing to live for, will not hesitate to attack someone with a weapon for their possessions.
“They are not confident in what they are out to achieve, which escalates the incident if it doesn’t go according to their expectations,” Pearce said. They usually use a knife or screwdriver, and only occasionally a firearm.
The organised criminal has planned ahead, is confident, and will not normally use force. A vagrant is harder to catch as he is on foot and jumps over walls. Pearce advised residents to walk on the street in groups, to arm alarms, and keep an eye out for suspicious people at traffic lights.
Areas in Honeydew Sector 1 include Boskruin, Bromhof, Bush Hill Estate Agricultural Holdings (AH), Glen Dayson AH, Hunter’s Hill AH, Kelly Ridge, Northhgate, North Riding AH, Northwold, Randpark Ridge, Sonneglans, Strijdom Park and Sundowner.
Details: Honeydew Police Station 011 801 8613; Honeydew Community Policing Forum 011 801 8576.
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