The Pretoria North and Akasia Community Policing Forums (CPFs) have expressed optimism in the fight against crime since Police Minister Senzo Mchunu released the latest quarterly crime statistics.
As crime remains a persistent concern across the country, the CPFs in the north of Pretoria are pleased with the progress their local police stations have made in maintaining safety.
The crime statistics, which cover the period from October to December 2024, were released on February 21.
They reflect crimes reported at the country’s 1 163 police stations and reveal shifts in various crime categories, including murder, sexual offences, robbery, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).
Despite the challenges faced by law enforcement, particularly in densely populated urban areas, Pretoria North and Akasia police stations have reported noteworthy improvements.
The Pretoria North police station reported a 16.1% decrease in contact crimes.
This includes a reduction in crimes such as robbery with aggravating circumstances, which decreased by 19 counts, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), which dropped by 17 cases.
Rape cases also declined, with only nine incidents reported compared to the previous quarter.
Willem Nel, deputy chairperson of the Pretoria North CPF, attributed the reduction to the collective efforts between the police, the community and local security companies.
“The latest crime figures for our area indicate that crime remains under control.
Common assault has only increased by 6%, and sexual assault has risen by just one incident,” said Nel.
He mentioned that these numbers reflect the ongoing efforts of SAPS in maintaining safety in the Pretoria North area.
He acknowledged that while there has been a slight uptick in carjackings, with five additional cases this quarter, the CPF believes the figures remain manageable.
Nel emphasised that the Pretoria North CPF, along with the local police and private companies, conducts regular patrols to deter criminal activity in both residential and business areas.
“Burglaries at non-residential premises increased by just one case, thanks to police and our local security companies in crime prevention,” added Nel.
He also noted that theft of motor vehicles and motocycles saw a minimal increase of two cases, attributing this to isolated incidents involving delivery motocycles being stolen by drivers in the industry.
Nel encouraged more community members to join daily patrols and participate in the CPF’s two-way radio communication system, which is also used by local businesses.
“Together, we can make a real difference. By conducting daily patrols, the community and police are not only working together to prevent crime but also strengthening trust and cooperation between police and the Pretoria North community,” said Nel.
Akasia Police Station reported a 10.6% decrease in contact crimes, further cementing the CPF’s confidence in the crime-fighting initiatives taking place in the area.
Notably, the Akasia police reported no attempted murder cases during the last quarter, and common robberies saw a decline, dropping by 27 counts.
While the CPF is encouraged by these figures, spokesperson Lerato Makwe said it’s important to stay vigilant.
“As the Akasia CPF, we acknowledge the recent crime statistics and remain committed to working tirelessly alongside police, local businesses, and the community to improve safety in our area.”
Makwe said while Akasia experienced a decrease in most crime categories, there was a noticeable increase in carjackings, which rose by 15 counts this quarter.
This concerning trend has prompted the CPF to work closely with the police on intelligence-driven operations and high-visibility patrols in the area prone to vehicle theft.
Robberies at residential premises, although decreasing slightly, remain a focus of the CPF’s crime prevention strategies.
“The stats highlight areas where we must intensify our efforts. While we recognise the ongoing challenges, we view this as an opportunity to enhance our crime prevention strategies and strengthen partnerships with all stakeholders to a safer environment for all residents,” said Makwe.
The Akasia CPF is actively implementing community-based initiatives to curb crime, including street patrols, neighbourhoods watch programmes, and awareness campaigns.
These efforts are complemented by collaborations with local businesses, which play a vital role in providing resources such as surveillance cameras and security patrols.
The CPF is also advocating for quicker response times to crime scenes and improved investigate measures by police.
“Community involvement is crucial in crime prevention. We encourage residents to join neighbourhood watches, report suspicious activities, attend CPF meetings, and utilise available crime-reporting platforms,” urged Makwe.
The statistics show the regions in the north of Pretoria have made strides in reducing contact crimes, but challenges remain.
With ongoing efforts such as daily patrols, enhanced security measures, and community engagement, Pretoria North and Akasia remain vigilant in their mission to create safer environments for all residents.
“We are optimistic, but we cannot be complacent. Together, we can create a safer community for everyone,” said Nel.
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