With the town being hit hard by crime lately, police, CPF, residents, local emergency services and security companies joined hands and patrolled the streets of Randfontein on Saturday (19 August) until the early hours Sunday.
The aim of the drive was to clamp down on criminals. A total of 2 809km were covered and 232 hours spent during the drive the Herald has dubbed ‘Operation taking crime by the horns’.
“Despite a welcome decrease in crime after significant police successes recently, the Randfontein Community Policing Forum (CPF) is intensifying its efforts to establish a solid residents network to be the eyes and ears of the police,” said Henry Boyce, CPF Sector 5A chairperson and operational coordinator.
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According to Boyce, the operation was very successful with several arrest made in various areas.
He explained the drive started at 8pm and the participants patrolled the streets of Randfontein until 3am the next morning. A total of 57 CPF members participated and 37 CPF vehicles were used during the drive. A large number of community members gave up their time to fight crime.
Two police vehicles as well as five security vehicles helped us make this drive even more successful,” Boyce added.
Brigadier Mashole Jacob Manamela also attended the drive and told the Herald that currently common robberies are very high.
“Theft of motor vehicles, hijacking, hijacked vehicles and trucks are a big concern,” said Brigadier Manamela.
Herald journalist, Nadine Maré attended the drive and saw the hard work by volunteers in the community. Boyce told the Herald that they are doing common searches to ensure the community’s safety.
The following arrests were made:
• One for drinking and driving
• Five on suspicion of drug-related offences
• One for drinking in public
• 305 people were searched
• 197 vehicles were searched
• Six premises were searched
• Three vehicle control points were manned
Boyce continued, “The CPF would like to thank everyone involved and believe that together the community can make a difference and fight crime”.
He invites the community to participate in the next drive that will take place soon.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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