ALAS, Margate makes the headlines again this week with the seaside town flagged in fifth position out of the 10 worst precincts in South Africa for residential burglary, according to the latest SAPS statistics.
Although Margate crime fighters have shown some progress in the past year with burglary cases dropping from 1 468 a year ago to 1 364, crime in general is ringing alarm bells.
There has been an increase in murder from 24 reported cases to 30, burglary at non-residential premises up from 110 to 125, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition up from six to 27 and drug-related crimes up from 677 to 766.
Small consolations, there has been a drop in sexual offences, theft out of motor vehicles and common robbery.
However, it should be noted that spikes in some categories of crime are not necessarily bad.
For example, drug-related crimes are ‘police generated’ and show that officers have made a greater effort to arrest abusers and dealers.
Overall, the South Coast is a safer place to live than many other parts of the country, but statistics vary locally. This is the breakdown area to area:
Port Shepstone
Port Shepstone has topped the list for sexual offences with 547 cases reported. Ironically, this statistic could also be positive as it reflects arrests of prostitutes and positive prosecutions. However, assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm increased from 249 to 278. There has also been an increase in common assault, common robbery, burglary at non-residential premises and carjacking. Surprisingly, drug-related crime has dropped from 578 to 393, burglary at residential premises from 717 to 681 and theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles 74 to 36. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increased from 188 to 195.
Full stats here: Port Shepstone
Southport
Sexual offences increased, but there was a significant drop in burglary at residential premises from 353 to 226. Murder has also dropped from eight to six.
Full stats here: Southport
Hibberdene
This town has seen a drop in the murder rate, common assault, sexual offences, burglary at residential and non-residential premises. Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition increased from 17 to 33 and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increased from 22 reported cases to 51.
Full stats here: Hibberdene
Port Edward
Further south there has been an increase in both burglary at residential and non-residential premises. There has also been an increase in drug-related crimes which spiked from 580 to 671. Common assault is also up from 37 to 68.
Full stats here: Port Edward
Paddock
Burglary at residential premises went up by 18 from 102 to 120, murder by two, sexual offences by nine and drug-related crime by 10.
Full stats here: Paddock
Izingolweni
Murder went up by three cases and sexual offences by six. The area was known for a high rate of stock theft, but this has dropped significantly.
Full stats here: Izingolweni
Harding
There was an increase in drug-related crime, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.
Full stats here: Harding
Gamalakhe
This seems to be the best policed area with the crime rate dropping in almost all categories.
Full stats here: Gamalakhe
St Faith’s
There has been a drop in sexual offences, but burglary at non-residential premises, drug-related crime and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition increased.
Full stats here: St Faiths
SAPS comment
Police spokesman Captain Vincent Pandarum said every police station had a Crime Information Management Analysis Centre (CIMAC) which met daily with management to establish crime threats, crime patterns and allocation of resources to address reported crimes.
“These crime meetings are held simultaneously at cluster, provincial and national levels and the performance of each police station is monitored . If and when deemed necessary, there is timely intervention from one of these offices.
“Even before the Honourable Minister of Police, Nkosinathi Nhleko, released the crime statistics, strategies had been implemented to reduce those categories that had shown an increase. Best practices are exchanged by the various police stations. However, what works for one may not necessarily work for another.
“Management has to tailor its strategies constantly in order to remain a step ahead of criminals,” said Captain Pandarum.
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