Milnerton has found itself listed as one of the top 10 precincts in the country hit hardest by theft, after the latest crime statistics were released by Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko on Friday September 2.
The statistics, for the period from April 1 2015 to the end of March 2016, show that crimes in the category “all theft mentioned elsewhere” has risen in Milnerton by 10 percent, from 1 948, in the previous reporting period from April 2014 to March 2015, to 2 144. This ranked Milnerton ninth on the Crime Stats SA top 10 list of worst precincts in that category.
Milnerton station commander, Brigadier Marius Stander, confirmed that the listing was correct as “all theft mentioned elsewhere” was a specific problem the station was struggling to deal with.
“It is correct. I looked at the figures on theft and I cannot disagree with the volumes. This type of theft takes place in houses, off washing lines and the majority take place in business premises.”
These are areas we have no control over. It does not take place in the street,” said Brigadier Stander.
Theft out of motor vehicles in Milnerton also increased seven percent, from 622 to 666, as well as burglary at residential properties which went up 29 percent, from 660 to 849. Malicious damage to property was also up by 15 percent, from 345 to 396, and robbery with aggravating circumstances increased 24 percernt, from 450 to 556.
“We did improve in certain areas, but we also have challenges. House robbery is a concern for us, but we received 30 extra members last month, and we will focus more on hotspot areas,” said Brigadier Stander.
However, not all is doom and gloom for Milnerton, as the stats showed murders dropped from 48 to 40; assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm went down from 327 to 304, and there has been a 38 percent drop in shoplifting from 599 to 372.
Meanwhile, Table View has seen a drop in many of the crime categories, including “all theft mentioned elsewhere, which dropped 8 percent, from 1509 to 1390, as well as non-residential burglary, which dropped from 85 to 54. Residential burglary dropped from 947 to 922.
There has also been a drop in murder from 17 to 9, a drop in common robbery from 164 to 144, a 5 percent drop in armed robbery from 157 to 243 and a drop in malicious damage to property reports from 223 197.
Table View Station commander Colonel Dirk Vosloo said the statistics showed joint efforts involving the police, the community, security firms and NGOs were having an impact.
“There is a decrease in crime against property which had already decreased in the previous year. It’s a decrease on a decrease, which is very reassuring. Per capita we’re doing amazing work,” he said.
“People need to understand that it is becoming increasingly difficult to curb crime because the area is expanding, so even if there is a slight increase, we’re doing well. The general public should assist SAPS to fight crime, there are lots of structures to fall into, if you don’t know how, contact me and I can help you get involved,” said Colonel Vosloo.
Crimes which have gone up in Table View include common assault which increased from 440 to 456 and assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, which increased from 84 to 105. Commercial crime rose from 314 to 331
Bothasig saw increases in some categories. Sexual offences rose from 10 to 15 and common robbery increased from 16 to 22. All theft not mentioned also went up from 334 to 390, as well as shoplifting which increased from 17 to 27. Drug-related crime went up from 77 to 98.
Residential burglaries dropped from 282 to 264 , carjacking went down from eight to six and malicious damage to property decreased from 111 to 89.
“We as the community must be smarter than criminals and minimise the opportunities to commit crime by stashing and not flashing valuable items,” said Bothasig police station commander Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Jacobs.
“During last year, a lot of hard work went into policing in the Bothasig area and I would like to thank each and every member in every component at Bothasig police station. The crime statistics is the result of the diligent work by all and is a reflection of SAPS and partners.”
In Melkbosstrand, residential burglaries dropped from 87 to 67, but non-residential ones shot up from from three to 23.
Drug-related crime increased from 164 to 170. No murders or attempted murders were reported. Sexual offences dropped from 8 to 4, and cases of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm dropped from 21 to 16.
Common assaults rose from 42 to 49. Reports of malicious damage to property increased from 17 to 27 and theft out of motor vehicle’s went up from 42 to 62.
