AFTER a rapid increase in residential burglaries throughout the City, Empangeni SAPS have identified and deployed task teams to the affected areas in the hope of nabbing perpetrators.
According to the Empangeni Reporting Criminal Activity Facebook page, run by Business Against Crime Manager, Dave Whittaker, posts have been made every day reporting attempted burglaries or thefts.
Empangeni SAPS crime stats have confirmed between Thursday and Sunday last week there had been an increase in crimes, with 13 cases of residential burglaries reported and three cases of theft out of motor vehicles.
‘Residential burglaries have been on the rise in Ngwelezana, uMhlathuze Village, Mevamhlophe, Kildare and Nyala Park,’ said Empangeni SAPS spokesperson Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose.
‘There has also been a serious plague of theft out of motor vehicles in Empangeni, so please be aware and do not leave any valuable items in your car,’
‘We are investigating the reported cases and hope for a breakthrough of arrests as we are following leads. We have also deployed our intelligence unit in the affected areas to collect information leading to arrests.
‘Patrol vans have been deployed in areas for crime prevention and community assistance.
‘It is so important to report everything, even if it is not an actual crime, but any suspicious activity needs to be reported,’ said Mdlalose.
Whittaker said the police have been doing a good job in arresting perpetrators, but there has, however, been a rise in incidents of residential burglaries where the modus operandi of the intruders are to break-in while home owners are asleep.
‘People need to be aware, alert and on guard. Once again, it is vital to communicate and form groups on social networks. Stay in touch, know your neighbours and your surroundings,’ said Whittaker.
