Residents encouraged to call 10111 in emergencies

Crime is an everyday reality for many Springsites, and, in time of trouble, one needs to get hold of the police as soon as possible.

Many residents have expressed the challenges they face when trying to get help from the police.

One of those challenges seems to be being unable to get through to the 10111 call centre.

This is a 24-hour crime-reporting call centre created to attend to emergencies, nationally.

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“10111’s greatest advantage is that the calls are recorded and you get a reference number.

“It is easy to trace the call and dispatch in the investigation,” says Capt Johaness Ramphora, spokesperson of the Springs SAPS.

Ramphora encourages residents to try and use the number in emergencies before they call the sector numbers.

“The sector numbers go straight to the vans that are in different areas.

“The challenge is that the cellphones are used by more than one police officer, which makes it hard to trace in case the police do not respond to the complaint.”

He also encourages the community to ask the police on the other side of the line to identify themselves.

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“Then you can say ‘I spoke to this person at this time’,” he adds.

10111 calls made on a landline are free of charge.

On its website, the SAPS encourages callers to remain calm when making an emergency call, and speak clearly while giving the following information:

• Your name and address

• Your telephone number, if requested

• The nearest street corner to where the incident occurred

• Other useful information, such as the number of suspects, a description of the suspect, whether or not the suspects are/were armed and the direction in which they fled, if available.

• Try to keep the conversation as brief as possible.

The emergency police services numbers for Springs are as follows:

• Springs Police Station: 011 365 5700/19/20.

For the sector vans call;

• Sector One serves the Springs CBD and Lodeyko: 071 675 6997/071 695 7000.

• Sector Two serves Struisbult, Daggafontein, Edelweiss, Nuffield, Selcourt and Selection Park: 071 675 6996/071 675 6999.

• Sector Three serves Casseldale, Strubenvale, Largo, Endicott and Vischkuil: 071 675 7002/071675 7003.

• Sector Four serves Petersfield Extension, Bakerton, Gugulethu Everest informal settlement, Persida, Slovo Park, Welgedacht and Welgedacht Agricultural Holdings, Holfontein and Payneville: 071 675 7004/071 675 7005.

• Sector Five serves New State Areas, Rowhill, Presidents Park, Presidentsdam, Geduld Extension, Petersfield, Paul Krugersoord, Eastvale, Dersley and Krugersrus: 071 675 7006.

• Sector Six serves Geduld, Springs Extension, Never Never, Oranjehof, Pollak Park, Wright Park, Reedville and Dal Fouche: 071 675 7009/071 675 7008.