Important steps to follow when reporting a crime in Sandton

It is important to report all crime, no matter how small, as this allows the police and private security companies to allocate the necessary resources to crime hotspots.

“It appears that there are a large number of crimes that simply go unreported because of the nature of the crime, a lack of confidence in the system or because residents may be unsure of exactly who to contact,” said Linda Reeder, community development manager at Fidelity ADT’s Inland region.

She said selective reporting of crime is problematic as it contributes to the dissemination of misinformation around crime, rather than adding to accurate and contextualised information which the police and private security companies can then work on to apprehend suspects.

Rheeder emphasised that no matter how big or small or how insignificant you feel the crime is, report it. Not only does this help establish crime trends it provides authorities with invaluable information on how to best allocate resources and gives them a better understanding of both motive and modus of the crime and how crime prevention strategies are being deployed.

She explained that policing precincts are broken down into sectors and these are your first port of call. The first step is to contact your respective sector vehicle for any complaint or incident. If for any reason your call is not answered or you have a serious incident you must log the incident with 10111 as these calls are recorded and logged in terms of time received and the time the complaint was dispatched over the radio. A further advantage, she said, is 10111 complaints get broadcast over the police radio network and all police vehicles on that network will hear the complaint.

It is important for residents to follow protocol and also to know how to contact the correct sector. “We find that a lot of residents are unsure about the sector they fall under and sometimes waste time contacting the incorrect one,” added Reeder.

When reporting a crime, these are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Phone your sector vehicle and your security provider

Step 2: Phone 10111 only if you cannot get hold of your sector vehicle or you need a reference number

Step 3: If not satisfied with the above, phone the relief commander

Step 4: If still not satisfied, phone the duty officer on 082 304 9562

Step 5: If you need assistance from the Community Policing Forum, contact your CPF sub-forum chair.

Who to contact in your sector

Sector 1

•  Edenburg, Gallo Manor, Khyber Rock, Rivonia, Sunninghill, Woodlands and Woodmead n The sector vehicle numbers are 071 675 6093 and 071 675 6094
• You can contact the sector commander, Captain Singh on 082 524 8473
• The CPF’s sub-forum chair, Franki Purser, can be contacted on franki@jawitz.co.za

Sector 2

• Brecknock, Bryanston, Klevehill Park, Lonehill, Paulshof, Petervale, Rietfontein and Riverclub
• The sector vehicle numbers are 071 675 6095 and 071 675 6096
• You can contact the sector commander, Constable Mbatha on 082 388 5997
• The CPF’s sub-forum chair, Rob Cumming can be contacted on sector2chairsandtoncpf.co.za

Sector 3

• Benmore Gardens, Dalecross, Duxberry, Hurlpark, Little Filian, Modie Hill, Morningside, Morningside Manor, Morningside X40, New Brighton, Parkmore, Sandown, Sandhurst, Strathavon, Sunset Acres and Dennehof
• Sector vehicle’s contact numbers are 071 675 6101 and 071 675 6075
• The sector commander, Captain Moleya, can be reached on 082 388 5995
• The CPF’s sub-forum chair on sector3chair@sandtoncpf.co.za

Sector 4

•  Buccleuch, Eastgate, Kelvin, Kelvin View, Kramerville, Marlboro North, Wendywood and Wesco Park
•  The sector vehicle’s contact numbers are 071 675 6106 and 071 675 6107
• The sector commander, Captain Semenya, can be contacted on 082 946 653
• You can contact the CPF’s sub-forum chair, Andrew Mc Murray, on sector4chair@sandtoncpf.co.za

Rheeder explained that a community approach to fighting crime is essential and always pays dividends, leading to safer communities. She said it starts off with a commitment from residents to report crimes accurately and a follow-up commitment from police and other influencers in the sector, like the private security industry and your local policing forum, to follow up on all leads and react proactively to trends and incidents to reduce crime levels,” concluded Reeder.

Details: Sandton Police Station 011 722 4200.

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