Police ready to protect communities this festive season

Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko on Thursday assured South Africans that security will be beefed up during the festive season.

“We will increase the number of police officers throughout the country to ensure the safety of all South Africans during the festive season,” he said.

Speaking at the launch of Operation Duty Calls, a festive season safety campaign, Minister Nhleko called on communities to report or expose any criminal activities in their communities.

“As government, we need your assistance in fighting crime,” he said.

Minister Nhleko said the festive season safety campaign will focus on armed robberies, liquor outlets, social crimes, tracking wanted criminals, road safety campaigns and border patrols.

He said the campaign will also be extended to rural communities throughout the country where stock theft is still a problem. He called on stock owners to always mark their livestock.

Operation Duty Calls will conclude at the end of January 2015. The campaign will also focus on clamping down on a number of criminal activities, which include drug abuse and dealing as well as cash-in-transit heists and ATM bombings.

During the campaign, the South African Police Service will continue to raise awareness on how people can ensure the safety of children over the festive season.

Also as part of Operation Duty Calls, rural protection will be intensified, while high visibility patrols will be increased along tourist destinations, especially in coastal cities.

Operation Duty Calls will be carried out jointly with the Departments of Defence, Home Affairs and Justice and Correctional Services.

National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega also called on communities to expose any suspicious activities in their communities.

“Ensuring your safety is our daily task. We do not only focus on it over the festive season. We discuss and devise ways of responding to crime in South Africa throughout the year.

“We have realised the importance of involving you, the people we serve, to give you a say in how policing should be implemented in your community,” she said.

Members of the public with information about criminal activities are advised to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211 or go online at www.crimeline.co.za. – SAnews.gov.za