NEWS
RELEASE
19 August 2004
CITY
POLICE DOING A GREAT JOB IN CAPE TOWN, SAYS ERLEIGH
page one
The
City Police have made nearly ten thousand arrests between July last year and
June this year, according to official statistics just released.
Speaking
at a media briefing, the City of Cape Town’s Executive Mayoral Committee
Member for Safety and Security, Councillor David Erleigh, praised the City
Police for doing an excellent job in difficult and often dangerous
circumstances.
“The
City Police are now accepted as a part of the community, and are not seen as a
threat or as people to be avoided if you don’t want to get into trouble,” he
said. “They have proved themselves to be the friends of the people – there
to offer support and peace of mind to those most vulnerable and under threat
from criminals.”
During
the year, the 819 City Police officers set up 1 113 roadblocks and 2 339 vehicle
control points. They searched a total of almost 30 000 vehicles, recovered more
than 300 stolen vehicles, and searched 7 661 premises.
Gangsters
were on the receiving end of many operations. Altogether 138 handguns, 45
automatic weapons and 3 157 rounds of ammunition were confiscated. City Police
believe this action alone has saved more than 3 000 lives.
Of
the 9 772 arrests carried out over the year, almost all were made during normal,
visible patrols.
Some
of the arrest statistics:
·
865
arrests for possession of drugs and 143 for dealing in drugs.
·
348
arrests for theft and 130 for theft of vehicles.
·
123
arrests for armed robbery and 179 for other robberies.
·
47
arrests for rape and 19 for attempted rape.
·
50
arrests for murder and 98 for attempted murder.
·
288
arrests for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
·
249
arrests related to domestic violence.
·
72
arrests for car theft and 130 for reckless driving.
·
638
arrests for driving under the influence.
·
727
arrests for drinking in public and
·
1
534 arrests for drunkenness.
Most
of the arrests occurred during normal policing patrols.
Councillor
Erleigh said huge quantities of dagga and more than nine thousand mandrax
tablets had been recovered.
page two
On
top of this, the City Police investigated almost 90 000 traffic offences,
including 19 632 cases of unlicensed drivers and 28 564 cases of unlicensed
vehicles.
Councillor
Erleigh said the City Police were committed to supporting the SAPS wherever
possible. Some 1 576 joint operations were undertaken.
“We
have to work together to defeat the common enemy – the criminal who is
terrorising the community – and we believe we have achieved a high level of
co-operation between the two law enforcement agencies. The results are there for
all to see.
“It
is quite obvious the City Police are making a major impact on crime in Cape
Town,” said Councillor Erleigh. “They deserve our thanks, our
congratulations, and the full support of every law-abiding citizen of our city.
“Thanks
to them, we can all sleep a little easier at night,” he said.
ENDS
Issued by
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MILL STREET
8010
On behalf of
The City of Cape Town
Private Bag X9181
CAPE TOWN
8000
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